What Oral Health Can Reveal About Overall Health

Your mouth isn't just for smiling, eating and bragging about children and grandchildren. It can give clues to your overall health reports Mayo Clinic¹. The fact is your mouth is home to lots of bacteria (most of it harmless), and without good oral hygiene according to Mayo Clinic² those bacteria can cause infections and even lead to disease in other parts of your body.

Cleveland Clinic³ says routine teeth cleanings can help lower your risk for heart disease, stroke and dementia. So, taking care of your pearly whites isn't just for looks, it's for your health too.

3 Health Issues Connected To Oral Health

• Heart disease may be connected to oral health but we don’t fully understand why. It could be due to the to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause reports Mayo Clinic⁴.
• Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of your heart chambers states Mayo Clinic⁵. It can happen when bacteria from your mouth spreads through your bloodstream and attaches to areas in your heart.
• Pneumonia. Some types of mouth bacteria can be pulled into your lungs and cause respiratory diseases like pneumonia mentions Mayo Clinic⁶.

Likewise, some medical conditions can be detrimental to your oral health. For instance, diabetes can put you at risk for gum infections, and osteoporosis is tied to tooth loss reports Mayo Clinic⁷.

How Frequently Should You Visit The Dentist?

Regular dentist appointments are a great way to prevent dental problems and protect your oral health says WebMD⁸. But exactly how often should you go? That depends on you and your lifestyle reports WebMD⁹.

If you’re prone to cavities or have a family history of poor dental health, WebMD¹⁰ suggests going more often so your dentist can keep a close eye on your oral health. For most people, that’s every six months says Cleveland Clinic¹¹ but could change based on your personal situation. Those who drink or smoke frequently should consider going more often too states WebMD¹².

Big Advantages To Regular Cleanings

Regular dental cleanings don’t just help avoid cavities and gum disease. According to Cleveland Clinic¹³, it offers these benefits as well.

• Helps you stay fit. As mentioned above, keeping your teeth clean (and healthy) reduces your chances for stroke, heart disease and dementia states Cleveland Clinic¹⁴.
  
• Prevents bad breath by getting rid of the hardened plaque, tartar and microbes on your teeth’s surface.
• Saves you money because cleanings help stop big, expensive medical issues before they take hold. 
  

In short, when you take care of your mouth, it can help take care of you. If you haven’t already, schedule your next dentist visit today. Your body will thank you.