How Proper Oral Hygiene May Improve Overall Health V2

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How Proper Oral Hygiene May Improve Overall Health
Your oral health is frequently an indicator of your overall health. Traditional dentists, however,
seldom acknowledge the link between oral health and overall wellness. A dentist who specializes
in full health dentistry may address your general dental difficulties while also taking into account
your entire health.
Shawna Omid, DDS in Torrance and the surrounding region provides comprehensive dental care.
We aim to assist you in being the healthiest person you can be. To make an appointment or learn
more about our services, call (310) 362-4425 now.
The Oral Health Connection

The mouth serves as a gateway to the digestive and respiratory systems, according to WebMD.
Bacteria enjoy it since it's a natural breeding place. The majority of them are completely
innocuous and can be kept in check with basic mouth hygiene and the body's natural defenses.
Disease-causing germs, on the other hand, may build over time if proper care is not performed.
Dental Health and Heart Health

The link between gum disease and heart disease has been well documented for a long time.
Experts have yet to ascertain if this is a cause-and-effect link. In any event, existing data reveals
that tooth bacteria-related inflammation and infections are linked to blocked arteries, heart
disease, and stroke.
Dental Health and Diabetes

Diabetes and dental health have a bidirectional link, meaning that both have an impact on one
other. Diabetes lowers the body's capacity to fight infection, putting individuals at a higher risk
of gum disease. Those with gum disease, on the other hand, have a harder time managing their
blood sugar levels.
“According to WebMD, the mouth acts as an entryway to the digestive and respiratory tracts. It
is a natural breeding ground for bacteria.”
Risk Factors for Poor Oral Health
Certain medical conditions might make a patient more prone to poor oral health, which can lead
to poor overall health. Pregnancy and osteoporosis are two of the most visible. Preventative
actions are critical in both cases. Visiting a full health dentistry doctor on a regular basis will
help you discover concerns early on.
Dental Health and Pregnancy
Pregnant women have a higher risk of periodontal disease and cavities than non-pregnant
women. Changes in behavior, hormone levels, and food can all cause these effects. Furthermore,
oral problems might cause pregnancy difficulties, such as early delivery.
Dental Health and Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become less thick and fragile. It may damage any
bone in the body, and evidence reveals that osteoporosis and bone loss in the jaw are linked. It is
not unusual for tooth loss to occur when the jawbone loses adequate density.
“Certain conditions may make a patient more susceptible to poor oral health — and, in turn, poor
overall health.”
Lifestyle Choices and Oral Hygiene
Dietary habits and lifestyle decisions might have an impact on a patient's oral health. As a result,
failing to maintain one's dental hygiene will have a detrimental impact on one's general health
(and vice versa). Excess sugar consumption, for example, is one of the leading causes of tooth
decay and gum disease. Excess sugar consumption, especially in its processed form, promotes
the development of germs in the mouth.
Smoking is another major contributor. Inhaled cigarette smoke is harmful, disrupts blood flow,
and increases the risk of mouth cancer. Furthermore, excessive drinking causes patients to have
dry lips on a regular basis, producing a breeding environment for germs. There is also a link
between drunkenness and poor dental hygiene practices.
Moreover, changes in body weight may have a detrimental impact on denture fit. Dentures that
are too loose might cause gum disease.
Some medications might harm one's oral health, especially if they dry up saliva – dehydrated
mouths are more prone to gum disease and tooth decay, as previously stated.
“Accordingly, neglecting to maintain one’s oral hygiene will inevitably negatively affect one’s
overall health (and vice versa).”
Dental Health and Other Conditions

Aside from heart disease, diabetes, pregnancy, and osteoporosis, oral health is connected to a
slew of other issues. Pneumonia, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjorgen's disease are only a few
examples. Patients should be as open and honest with their total health dentistry doctor as
possible, since certain diseases or even recent bouts of illness may have an impact on the sort of
dental care they require.
Poor oral hygiene was identified as one of the top risk factors for pneumonia in nursing home
patients in at least one research. Furthermore, significant inflammation is connected to both
rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal disease. This might make patients more vulnerable to
Sjorgen's syndrome, which causes dry mouth, making it harder to chew and increasing the risk of
dental decay.
“Aside from heart disease, diabetes, pregnancy, and osteoporosis, there are many other
conditions linked to dental health.”
Maintaining Oral Hygiene at Home
Nothing compares to the knowledge and experience of a full health dental specialist. Maintaining
dental health necessitates keeping frequent checkups, especially because each patient requires
individualized treatment. Fortunately, there are several things that individuals may do on their
own to maintain their dental health.
Brushing teeth at least twice a day is recommended, once in the morning and once before night.
Throughout the day, germs and plaque build-up and should be eliminated as soon as possible.
When brushing, it's critical to employ a good technique and remember to brush the tongue as
well. Using fluoride toothpaste will also help to prevent your teeth from decaying.
Flossing is just as important as brushing since it may help stimulate the gums while minimizing
plaque and irritation. Those who have difficulty using dental floss may consider other options,
such as ready-to-use flossers. Drinking water, eating crunchy fruits and veggies, and minimizing
sweet and acidic foods all help, as does swishing with a good quality mouthwash afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can treating my gum disease alleviate the symptoms of my other conditions?
A.It all depends on the other circumstances. Diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand,
have been shown to have bidirectional effects on dental health. To put it another way, if you treat
one, you'll be able to efficiently treat the other.
Q. Can rheumatoid arthritis cause any dental problems other than the periodontal disease?
A. Yes. Rheumatoid arthritis raises the risk of bacterial and fungal infections in the mouth.
Additionally, it may contribute to temporomandibular joint mobility loss.
Q. How is a periodontal disease linked to chronic inflammation?
A. Gum inflammation is a common cause of periodontal disease. When this happens, pockets
form between the gums and the teeth. Plaque, tartar, and germs accumulate in these pockets,
which get deeper with time. The immune system can be strained by chronic inflammation
elsewhere in the body.
Q. What are the risk factors for developing periodontal disease?
A. Periodontal disease affects certain persons more than others, as we can observe. Diabetes,
pregnancy, and osteoporosis have all been covered on this page. It's also possible that lifestyle
choices and dental hygiene habits play a role. Tobacco usage, certain drugs, poor diet, and teeth
clenching/grinding, for example, can all increase one's risk. Other risk factors, such as age,
heredity, stress, or other systemic conditions, are beyond one's control.
Q. What causes gum disease?
A.Gum disease generally begins with a buildup of plaque that, if left untreated, develops into
tartar beneath the gumline. It will then advance to gingivitis, a minor type of gum disease, before
developing to periodontitis, a more severe form of the illness.
Definition of Dental Terminology
Bacteria
Bacteria are a large and diverse group of single-celled microorganisms, including some
varieties that can cause diseases.
Decay
Tooth decay is when the enamel of the tooth begins to decay and cause erosion from
plaque and tartar on the teeth.
Denture Base
The denture base is the part of the denture that connects the artificial teeth with the soft
tissue of the gums.
Diabetes
Diabetes refers to a group of diseases that affects how the body produces or responds to
the hormone insulin and causes high blood sugar.
Heart Disease
Heart disease includes a wide range of cardiovascular issues such as diseased vessels,
structural problems, and blood clots.
Inflammation
Inflammation is the redness, swelling, and pain that is a part of the body’s natural
response to protect itself from infection, toxins, or injury.
Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene is the practice of maintaining the cleanliness of the mouth, teeth, and gums
through brushing, flossing, and regular dental appointments.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is a serious inflammation of the gingival tissues and the periodontal
membrane of the teeth that causes pain and helps form deeper gingival sulcus.
Plaque
Plaque is a sticky film consisting of bacteria that coats the teeth after consuming various
foods and beverages, requiring brushing to remove.
Saliva
Saliva is an extracellular liquid secreted by mouth glands that aids in chewing,
swallowing, and digestion.

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Link: https://www.shawnaomiddds.

How Proper Oral Hygiene May Improve Overall Health

The Oral Health Connection

Dental Health and Heart Health

Dental Health and Diabetes

Dental Health and Other Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

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