Oral Health and Overall Wellness: The Connection Explained
Oral Health and Overall Wellness: The Connection Explained
Everyone wants a beautiful smile, but not many people consider the true effect of oral health on their overall health. You're supposed to have your teeth cleaned twice a year, but it seems to be an appointment that you can easily cancel or put off for a later date.
Tooth decay and gum disease can be an indication that you're struggling with other health conditions. From diabetes to dementia, poor oral health can be a risk factor in developing these diseases.
You can improve both your oral health and overall wellness when you have your current oral health needs met and commit to ongoing preventative care. Two hours a year getting your teeth cleaned can have a big impact on your overall physical health.
Explore the Mouth-Body Connection
There is a large body of scientific data that suggests systemic disease and oral health are closely linked. People with gum disease have a harder time managing conditions, such as diabetes.
New evidence also shows a link between poor oral health and challenges with mental health. Untreated oral health and deepening mental health symptoms seem to feed off each other, exacerbating both conditions. Some things to consider are:
- A person with poor mental health is more likely to have untreated tooth pain and other unmet dental needs.
- Anxiety is a common mental health condition that affects dental care. Almost 50 percent of people struggling with their mental health felt anxious at the dentist's office.
Poor oral health and the bacteria in your mouth can also cause problems with your eyesight. Glaucoma is one of the most common issues. Two major health issues are also impacted by gum disease.
The Impact of Gum Disease on Heart Health and Diabetes
Gum disease has an impact on two major health conditions that affect the day-to-day life of many people: heart health and diabetes. When young adults put off oral health, they run an increased risk of high blood pressure as they age, which directly affects the well-being of the heart.
Diabetes and gum disease have a unique back-and-forth relationship. For example, if you have diabetes and struggle with keeping your blood sugar levels correct, you have more than an 80 percent chance of developing gum disease. A person who has gum disease finds it more difficult to maintain the correct blood sugar levels. This dynamic makes it even more important that you work on your oral health.
Get Regular Dental Check-ups as Part of Overall Health
You can take control of both your dental health and your physical health. A dentist recommends that most people get two teeth cleanings each year. If you have gum disease, you might need a deep cleaning and then normal cleanings every three months to minimize the symptoms and issues caused by it.
If you have any tooth decay or other dental issues, a professional can provide you with fillings and other dental procedures to repair the damage. With the fillings completed, you can go back to cleanings every six months. You'll notice that when you have good oral health that you smile more and take better care of yourself.
Contact Us at PureView Health Center to Book Your Appointment Today
Whether you need to return to routine dental check-ups or seek treatment for gum disease, it's time to take the next step. It's not only an investment in your oral health but also your overall physical wellness. PureView Health Center can partner with you to improve your oral health and minimize the risks of certain diseases. Contact us now to schedule an appointment.
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