You probably know that oral hygiene should be an important part of your day, but did you know that how you take care of your teeth affects a lot more than your smile? Oral health has links to your whole body, making it that much more important that you take great care when it comes to your teeth. If being healthy is already a priority, for you, then great dental care should be an important part of your lifestyle.
What Your Oral Health Has to Do With Your Whole Body
Your oral health has direct correlations to the rest of your body. We now know that gum disease has been linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and even complications during pregnancy. Though research is still being conducted to better understand the correlations, it’s clear that your oral health affects the rest of your body as well.
One of the first signs of gum disease is simply bad breath, called halitosis. This is caused by a combination of bacteria and dead skin cells, which produce sulfur compounds as they decay in your mouth. These chemicals can damage your gum tissue, which enables bacteria and toxins to enter into the gum tissue, which can then spread the toxins throughout your body. Halitosis is usually so significant that mouthwashes, gum, mints and other treatments, will not remedy the issue. Other warning signs of gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, include inflamed or bleeding gums, usually darker in color than your healthy gum tissue.
Since tartar buildup is the leading cause of gum disease, good oral hygiene is incredibly important to warding off potential problems. Flossing is a crucial part of a good hygiene routine, but so are professional cleanings, which can rid your mouth of the tartar left behind after brushing and flossing alone.
ABOUT YOUR SHREWSBURY, MA DENTISTS:
At Modern Dentistry, Todd A. Pizzi, DDS, and Luciana Messina, DDS, are dedicated to providing high-quality cosmetic, restorative, and preventive dentistry services to patients and families in Shrewsbury, Worcester, North and South Grafton, Westborough, Southborough, Northborough, Boylston, Hopkinton, Millbury, and all surrounding communities. To schedule your next appointment, contact our office by calling 508-842-6356 today.
