{"id":975,"date":"2019-12-27T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-12-27T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pointedentalgroup.com\/blog\/?p=975"},"modified":"2019-12-19T10:01:31","modified_gmt":"2019-12-19T15:01:31","slug":"how-dental-health-affects-overall-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.pointedentalgroup.com\/blog\/how-dental-health-affects-overall-health\/","title":{"rendered":"How Dental Health Affects Overall Health and Associated Illnesses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Do\nyou think dental visits only concern your oral health? You shouldn\u2019t! While\ndentists are primarily concerned with your teeth, what they do affects your\nwhole body. Not only can some illnesses be identified by your dentist, other\ndiseases and illnesses can be prevented through good dental care. Not everyone\nis aware of how dental health affects overall health, but some of the\nconnections are significant!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inflammation: A Big Part of How Dental Health Affects Overall\nHealth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of our\nbody\u2019s most effective means of protecting itself is inflammation. When your\nimmune system detects foreign bacteria, it uses inflammation to create an\ninhospitable environment for them with the goal of killing the bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While short-term\ninflammation is beneficial, it\u2019s not good for our bodies to deal with\ninflammation in the long-term. Chronic inflammation is most commonly caused in\nthe gums \u2013 due to gum\ndisease.<\/a> Bacteria forming into plaque or\ntartar on your gums creates a constant assault of your gum tissue, which your\nbody responds to with more inflammation. Over a long period of time, this chronic\ninflammation can damage your gums<\/a>, the bone\nbeneath them and the entire structure of your mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond that,\nhowever, is how dental health affects overall health. This inflammation in your\ngums is associated with several illnesses or diseases throughout your whole\nbody. While the science is still developing and not fully understood, the\nconnections are clear: more inflammation increases your chances of other\nwhole-body health issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illnesses Associated with Dental Health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Heart Health<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The\nnumber one concern for doctors of all specialties is your heart. It\u2019s no secret\nthat your heart health is critical for a long, healthy life. But you may be\nsurprised to learn that brushing your teeth and gums is part of a long-term\nplan to keep your heart free of disease!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Endocarditis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Poor\ndental care not only increase inflammation, but it also introduces more\nbacteria into your body and blood stream, increasing your chance of infection.\nIf these bacteria reach your lining around your heart chambers or valves, it\ncan cause a life-threatening infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This\nisn\u2019t a rare event, either. Endocarditis is most often caused by oral bacteria\nspreading through your blood stream. While treatable, the longer the infection\nhas to take root, the higher a patient\u2019s chances of dying become.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cardiovascular Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The\nother part of heart health tied to your dental health is the ever-increasing\nrisk of cardiovascular disease. As arteries clog and blood pressure rises, your\nchances of a heart attack or stroke also rise. The causes of cardiovascular\ndisease are many, but researchers have found clear connections between the\nrates of cardiovascular disease and those with poor oral health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connections\nare typically attributed to both inflammation and its effect on your general\nwell-being, plus the increased risk of infection and its similar effects.\nUltimately, brushing your teeth is a small amount of time to dedicate to\npotentially reducing your chances of catastrophic heart failure!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pneumonia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Doctors\nworking with senior patients fighting symptoms of pneumonia found a clear shift\nin oral bacteria prior to their illness. Like heart health, the connection is\nstill being investigated, but scientists have concluded that good oral hygiene\nreduces the mortality\nrate from aspirating with pneumonia<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On\ntop of this finding, scientists do know that bacteria in your mouth can spread\nto your lungs. This mechanism is identical to how oral bacteria can affect your\nheart. Any time your body has to fight bacteria, you experience inflammation\nand your body can be temporarily or permanently weakened from it. If you have\nless bacteria in your mouth, your chances of passing bacteria to your lungs and\nsparking an infection decrease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Illnesses Connected to Your Oral Health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Diabetes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As\nwe learn how dental health affects overall health, we also learn more about\nillnesses that can worsen oral health in return. One of the most common ways\noverall health can impact oral health is through diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those\nwith diabetes who don\u2019t control their blood sugar do direct harm to their white\nblood cells. These are the specific types of cells that protect against\nexternal bacteria \u2013 including oral bacteria. As white cells continue to weaken,\noral infections are more likely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\nare some other ways diabetes can worsen your oral health:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xerostomia<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 <\/strong>Saliva\nis a core part of your oral defense. It equalizes the pH balance of your mouth,\nand gently washes away bacteria or food particles. Diabetes reduces saliva\nproduction, which ultimately means a higher chance of tooth decay and\ninfection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inflammation\n\u2013<\/strong>\nDiabetes renders blood vessels less effective at moving nutrients or waste to\nand from tissue in the body. As far as oral health goes, this means the body\u2019s\nability to fight bacteria and infection on the gums worsens. The body then uses\ninflammation to help fight infection, feeding into a cycle that worsens dental\nand overall health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Osteoporosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Osteoporosis\nis a condition where bones lose density over time, typically\naffecting older men or women<\/a>. As bones lose density, they become more likely to\nfracture and less capable of holding up against typical use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While\nit\u2019s most commonly associated with problems like broken hips or fractured\nwrists, it\u2019s important to remember that the bone in our jaws keeps our dental\nhealth in check. Just ask any orthodontist about the importance of jaw bones!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When\nyour jawbone weakens, its ability to anchor your teeth in place and support the\nnecessary functions of chewing and speaking are at risk. Osteoporosis makes\nother dental health issues, like chronic\ninflammation from periodontal disease,<\/a> even more dangerous. The combined\neffect makes tooth loss practically inevitable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Healthy Smile Leads to a Healthy Body<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\nwant to help you maintain good oral health and a beautiful smile. Regular teeth\ncleaning and dental check-ups are an important part of your routine, just like\nbrushing and flossing. Schedule an appointment<\/a> with\nus or call and take the first step toward keeping your smile radiant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grosse\nPointe Farms: (313) 881-2480 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shelby\nTownship: (586) 803-8300 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t\nmiss a thing! Connect with us on Facebook<\/a>! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Do
\nyou think dental visits only concern your oral health? You shouldn\u2019t! While
\ndentists are primarily concerned with your teeth, what they do affects your
\nwhole body. Not only can some illnesses be identified by your dentist, other
\ndiseases and illnesses can be prevented through good dental care. Not everyone
\nis aware of how dental health affects overall health, but some of the
\nconnections are significant!<\/p>\n

Inflammation: A Big Part … Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":"yes","footnotes":""},"categories":[89],"tags":[43,96,104],"class_list":["post-975","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general-dentistry","tag-dental-health","tag-oral-health","tag-preventive-dental-care"],"yoast_head":"\nHow Dental Health Affects Overall Health | Pointe Dental Group | Michigan<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Do you know how dental health affects overall health? Discover the importance of oral health for your body, from Pointe Dental Group near Detroit, MI.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.pointedentalgroup.com\/blog\/how-dental-health-affects-overall-health\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How Dental Health Affects Overall Health | Pointe Dental Group | Michigan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Do you know how dental health affects overall health? 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