Important Dental Health Tips to Keep in Mind
Did you know that the state of your teeth and gums can affect your overall health? There are a number of studies that show a link between dental problems and other illnesses including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some respiratory problems. While you may be diligent about brushing and flossing, a professional cleaning by your dentist gets at all those hard-to-reach areas that bacteria loves to hide in. Schedule a checkup at your local Waterloo dentist at least twice a year. Remember that symptoms don’t always manifest until the issue has progressed to a severe condition.
5 ways dental problems can affect your health:
- Heart disease and stroke: Bacteria in your mouth when left unchecked hardens into tartar and leads to infection. Once this gets into your blood stream, it can build up and cause blockages which affect your heart. Individuals who have their teeth cleaned regularly have a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Diabetes: A Columbia University study revealed that dentists were able to correctly identify patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes based on missing teeth and the deep pockets in the mouth, 73% of the time. New research further shows a strong connection between oral health and diabetes and vice-versa. Diabetics are more likely to have gum disease. Worse still, those with gum disease are likely to find it difficult to control their diabetes.
- Premature births: A 2011 study in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology found that expectant moms with periodontal disease who used an alcohol-free rinse had a 75% lower risk of delivering prematurely. The reason? When faced with gum disease, your body reacts to the inflammation by increasing a hormone-like chemical (prostaglandin E2) which is used in many labour-inducing medications.
- Bad breath: In the majority of cases, bad breath is caused by poor dental hygiene and unchecked bacteria. This affects your health as well as your social life. Your dentist can help identify the cause and suggest effective ways to remedy your problem.
- Oral cancer: Your dentist goes beyond checking the health of your teeth and gums to look for signs of oral cancer, such as sores and lesions. Early detection and treatment increases your chances of a positive outcome.
Gum disease is called a silent killer as it may not trigger pain or symptoms even when it has reached its most destructive phase. It can be identified only by your hygienist/periodontal therapist or dentist and requires sustained treatment.
Waterloo Smiles is a full-service dental facility providing everything from routine check-ups and cleaning to the most complex cosmetic and restorative dentistry. We educate our patients about how to improve their dental health so that they can maintain healthy teeth and gums throughout their lives. Click here to read testimonials from our smiling clients!
Call 519-888-6063 or click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. Husain, your experienced Waterloo dentist, and learn more about how to improve your dental health.