How are Oral Health and General Health closely connected?

How are Oral Health and General Health closely connected?

It is not farfetched to say oral and general health have a symbiotic relationship. The mouth is the passage for food therefore a healthy one is vital to our well-being. It also promotes confidence in a social set up. One is able to interact freely when the mouth is clean and healthy.

Keeping your teeth healthy works to your advantage. For instance, a toothache may pose problems with eating, leading to lack of vital nutrients in the body. Additionally, difficulty in sleeping is a result of the discomfort people face when their teeth ache all night.

Effects of poor oral health

It may come as a surprise to find out that the condition of your mouth can tell a great deal about what’s going on in your body.

A swab of saliva can reveal other conditions that affect the whole body. Diseases such as AIDS and diabetes can easily be revealed by the aura of the mouth.

It is important to drink plenty of water to aid in the production of saliva. Hundreds of bacteria live in the mouth but with the help of saliva, the harmful ones are kept at bay.

Brushing your teeth keeps your gums healthy. An unchecked gum infection can cause the loss of your teeth. The consequences go beyond that; a cardiovascular disease may be the result. An oral infection may lead to clogged arteries and blood clots. Research indicates that a gum infection puts you at a risk of heart attack and stroke.

Negligence of oral health has bitter outcome for pregnant women. Premature labour and birth is linked back to oral health. It is believed that bad teeth release bacteria, which travel to the placenta through the bloodstream and interfere with the growth and development of foetuses.

Taking care of your teeth

Now that we have established the importance of taking care of your teeth and gums, here are ways to keep the dentist away:

• Brush your teeth first thing in the morning and before bed.
• Floss once a day. It’s a convenient way to keep the teeth clean when you do not have immediate access to a toothbrush and paste.
• Eat healthy- Sugary foods can cause dental problems.
• Go for regular dental check-ups. Two visits a year will do the trick.

There is an intricate link between your dental and general body health. Always be sure to keep an impeccable sense of dental hygiene and the rest of your body will fall in line.

For your routine dental check-up visit us at Springvale Dental Clinic.