Written by Dr. Aisha Harris
Your mouth can tell a story about your entire body’s health.
Even if you do not have a dentist, which everyone should have, you can take steps to improve your dental health.
Oral health affects heart health, diabetes, pregnancy outcomes, and more.
Common dental problems include cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis, teeth sensitivity, toothaches, bad breath, tooth loss and oral cancer-with cavities, gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis) and toothaches being some of the most frequent reasons someone seeks dental care.
– Cavities arise from plaque build-up and sugar that causes bacteria to build up and produce acid that eventually forms holes in the tooth.
– Gingivitis and periodontitis are caused by inflammation where gingivitis, gum bleeding and swelling, can lead to periodontitis, tissue and bone damage around teeth.
– Toothaches are caused by infections and can lead to bigger mouth or systemic infections if left untreated.
Oral health affects the entire body because the mouth is a gateway to the bloodstream and digestive system.
Gum disease can lead to heart disease because bacteria from the mouth and gum disease can enter the bloodstream and increase plaque buildup in arteries leading to blockages and even heart attacks. So, gum disease can increase someone’s risk of heart disease and heart attacks.
Gum disease can increase someone’s blood sugar and make their blood sugar harder to control and their diabetes more difficult to manage.
Also, high blood sugar levels can make infections and wounds worse, causing poor healing risks and increased infection risks for patients with diabetes.
Even pregnant women are at risk of pregnancy complications because of gum disease. Inflammation in the gums has been associated with premature births, preeclampsia and low birth weight.
When your primary care doctor exams your mouth it is a casual quick look. The mouth can
offer valuable information on someone’s mental and physical health. Mouth exams can help a doctor understand if a patient is at risk of vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune disease, infections, or even cancer.
A healthy mouth supports a healthy body. If you do not have a dentist it is recommended that you have one.
Some general dental tips to keep your dental health good is:
– To brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day.
– To stay hydrated with water and avoid high consumption of sugary drinks and snacks.
– To know the early signs of needing to get dental help. Early signs include gum bleeding,
swelling, tooth pain, or even a bad taste in your mouth.
– Eat crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots to help clean the teeth and
strengthen gums.
– Remember that mouthwash or mouth rinses are good for oral health but not a substitute for brushing and flossing.
It is important to have a dentist for good dental hygiene and prevention, as well as someone to go to when you have an urgent dental need like a tooth pain or infection. Your oral health is important for your entire body, keeping it healthy, clean and strong is essential for good overall health, mental health, nutrition and food intake and medical management like taking medications.
Dr. Aisha Harris, MD, is a Flint native and board-certified family medicine doctor at Harris Family Health in Flint, Michigan. Harris Family Health is a membership-based clinic that provides personalized and full primary care to adults and children. Learn more about Harris Family Health by visiting www.harrisfamilyhealth.com.
Feel free to submit health questions to Dr. Harris via theflintcouriernews@gmail.com.
