Oral and Overall Health Work Together

Your oral and overall health is more connected than you think. In fact, studies show that gum disease puts you in the high-risk category for stroke, heart attack and numerous other diseases and disorders. Latest research indicates a link between Alzheimer’s disease and periodontitis as well.

What is Gum Disease?

4 Seasons Dental explains that gingivitis, and the more serious periodontal disease, make gums inflamed. Gum disease also causes red and bleeding gums and pockets between teeth and gums. Those pockets often fill with bacteria. However, not everyone who has gum disease is aware they are suffering.

You may have gingivitis or periodontal disease if you experience any of these signs:

• Bleeding gums
• Gums that are tender when you touch
• Gums that bleed when brushing and flossing
• Pink toothbrush after you brush
• Blood after flossing and brushing
• Chronic bad breath
• Pockets between gums and teeth
• Abscesses

How Gum Disease is Connected to Overall Health

According to your dentist in Milton-Freewater, the health of your teeth and gums is just as important as the health of your body. Regular dental checkups and good oral hygiene habits help control gum disease lessening your risk of other conditions.

Scientists believe that the key component is inflammation. For example, if bacteria is attacking your teeth and gums because of left of food debris your body will swell up to fight the infection. If left untreated bacteria, plaque and tartar make their way to your blood vessels, your heart, and the rest of your body.

Some Conditions that have been linked to oral bacteria include:

• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Heart Disease
• Stroke
• Kidney Disease
• Low Birth Weight
• Premature Births
• Anxiety
• Asthma
• High Blood Pressure
• HIV/AIDS
• Tuberculosis
• Anorexia
• Digestive Disorders
• Respiratory Issues

How to Prevent Gum Disease

Gum disease prevention starts with good oral hygiene. This means brushing for two minutes twice a day and flossing once each day.

It is also important to eat a good diet that is rich in calcium, vitamins, and minerals. Keep sugary and starchy snacks to a minimum and schedule regular dental checkups with 4 Seasons Dental.

When it comes to regular dental checkups, it really depends on your health. If you are a diabetic, suffer from a systemic disease or an immunity disorder scheduling dental checkups more frequently prevents gingivitis and periodontal disease. Gum disease prevention also means annual or bi-annual comprehensive dental checkups.

Comprehensive Dental Exam

During a comprehensive dental checkup, the team from 4 Seasons Dental examines your throat, neck, oral cavity, teeth, gums, tongue, and cheeks. This helps identify any lumps, bumps, sores, or lesions. If anything is discovered a biopsy for further examination is usually recommended.

Your dentist in Milton-Freewater will also check your teeth and gums and your restorations to make sure everything is healthy.

If you haven’t seen your dentist in sometime, call, text or send a DM and set up a dental checkup with 4 Seasons Dental today.