Good Oral Health Supports Systemic Health
Dr. Monika Aneja of Mint Dental of Bradenton wants her patients and the public to understand that over the last decade a great deal of research results have demonstrated a close connection between oral and systemic health. Research indicates that gum disease (periodontitis) is associated with inflammatory illness elsewhere in the body in a bidirectional way. This means that inflammatory illness elsewhere in your body can exacerbate periodontitis and vice versa. Good oral health helps your body fight inflammatory diseases of all types throughout your entire body. If you have gingivitis (gum inflammation) or periodontitis (gum infection that can damage the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth), Dr. Aneja of Mint Dental of Bradenton and her registered dental hygienist will confer and recommend the frequency of clinical cleanings you need. They will also recommend therapeutic treatment to improve your circumstances.
Why Oral Health is so Important for Whole Body Health
Inflammation is the result of our immune system protecting our bodies from further harm when we are injured or come in contact with a virus or bacteria. The swelling and tenderness we experience is due to white blood cells rushing to the site of the injury or contact. When the inflammation is unchecked or chronic in the mouth, it can damage gum tissue and bones, sometimes leading to tooth loss. Moreover, chronic inflammation can lead to dangerous and even life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic disease, inflammatory bowel disease, head and neck cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and various autoimmune diseases.
Although the American Dental Association states “well-designed clinical trials are needed to establish whether a cause-and-effect relationship exists and to determine if, or how, treating gum disease may affect overall health,” recent studies have concluded that inflammation is a hallmark response to bacteria in the bloodstream and that inflammation is not only connected to both oral and systemic diseases, but it is also a link between oral and systemic diseases.
Because our mouths are full of bacteria, when the gums and teeth are compromised, the bacteria, as well as viruses, gain entry into the bloodstream. Once in the blood stream, they travel to other parts of the body. Not only will maintaining your oral health help maintain your overall health but research also indicates it can improve it.
Schedule Your Dental Cleaning and Checkup Today!
Even if you are routinely flossing and brushing your teeth, professional dental cleanings are needed to remove dental plaque (the biofilm of bacteria that sticks to the surfaces of the teeth) and tartar (hardened plaque). Dr. Aneja recommends regular dental checkups (twice a year), professional teeth cleanings (at least twice a year), and treatment of any present oral disease conditions to control oral bacteria, reduce periodontal inflammation, and prevent dental cavities and gum infection. If you have a history of periodontitis or suffer from a systemic disease such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, she may recommend more frequent dental cleanings. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.