The Link Between Dental Health and The Body

                              

Dental health is very important to overall health at every stage of life.  As you get older you are not immune to dental problems.  The mouth serves a gateway to giving the body nutrition and it helps to improve social interaction, increase confidence and the overall well-being of the individual.  Observing good oral health and dental hygiene helps to prevent bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease.   

Studies show that gum disease can cause infections in your lungs and this in turn can cause serious respiratory problems.  The body will not show immediate signs at the beginning but over long periods of breathing in bacteria from infected teeth and gums it starts to affect the lungs.  In pregnant women gum infections can arise from the fluctuating hormones that come with pregnancy.  Studies show that gum disease or inflammation of the mouth can make the body produce prostaglandins in high levels and this can cause early labor.   

In the event that the body is weakened by a disease or medical treatment, bacteria from the mouth can cause infection in other parts of the body.  With a swab of saliva from the mouth a medical professional can determine how healthy a person is.  Studies show that 90% of all systemic diseases give off oral signs and symptoms.  Although your saliva can help protect against some bacteria it is not effective against other forms of aggressive bacteria, these types of bacteria form a dental plague and this appears as a sticky, colorless film that sticks to the teeth which can cause different health problems.  Having good dental health helps to reduce the risk of some systemic diseases like cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and premature birth.                       

Researchers at the New York University (NYU) came up with a conclusion after some research and experimentation that gum inflammation can cause Alzheimer’s disease. The studies showed that gum disease is associated with low cognitive function of people that are above 70.  The results showed that gingivitis (which is found in people that have chronic gum disease) was found in Alzheimer patients.  Furthermore, researchers have found that periodontitis which causes gum inflammation can cause pancreatic cancer.  The study showed that people who have a history of gum disease are 64% more likely to be affected than people who have never had gum disease.   

                                

Probably the most important association is between dental hygiene and heart disease.  Studies show that bacteria caused by the inflammation of the gums and periodontal disease can enter the bloodstream and get stuck to the arteries of the heart thereby causing atherosclerosis (this is known as the hardening of the arteries).  This causes a plaque to develop on the inner walls of the arteries which then hardens and it can decrease or stop the blood flow in the body.  This increases the risk of a stroke or a heart attack.  

There are some effective treatment methods that can help people that have dental problems such as nonsurgical procedures like root cleaning and the application of antimicrobials.  In the event the person has a serious condition, conventional or laser surgery is an option.  To maintain good oral health, dentists advise that you brush after every meal with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily and use a mouth rinse to kill any bacteria that reside in the mouth.  Medical professionals advise that tobacco should be avoided and the intake of sodas, coffees and alcohol should be limited. The consumption of calcium and other vitamins help strengthen the teeth and fight diseases.  In the event that any problems arise it is advisable to visit a professional for cleaning, prevention and treatment.  This can protect more than your teeth, it can help save your life.

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