Did you know your oral health is linked to your overall health? Well, it’s true! In fact, many studies show that certain dental issues can be related to serious medical issues. This is why our dentist, Dr. R. Bruce Howell, strongly encourages you to take good care of your teeth, gums, and smile.
One dental issue that is found to be linked to many health problems is gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. This disease has a relationship with problems like heart disease and stroke. It also has a relationship with birthing pre-term, low birthweight babies.
There are other health issues that are linked to the mouth in one way or another. Some even include symptoms like swollen gums, mouth ulcers, dry mouth, and excessive oral tissue problems. Those health issues include diabetes, leukemia, oral cancer, pancreatic cancer, heart disease, and kidney disease. If you keep up with your routine dental exams and cleanings, there is a chance your dentist can detect these issues at the early stages.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to lessen the affects your mouth has on your body. In addition to visiting your dentist every six months, you can brush twice a day, floss once a day, have a healthy diet, and avoid tobacco use.