How does my oral health affect my heart?
Actually, there's a big link between your oral health and your heart health. In recent years, there have been lots of studies linking the condition of your mouth, especially your gum health, to your heart health. If there's a lot of inflammation in your mouth, it's going to affect your heart as well. We highly recommend all our patients ensure their gums are healthy and free of gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums. If inflammation is present in any part of the body, it affects the rest of the body. We recommend regular checkups every six months, or more frequently if advised by your dentist or hygienist, to maintain top-notch oral health and, consequently, top-notch heart health.
Can my oral health impact diabetes management?
Yes, certainly. Many studies and much research have linked oral health with systemic health, and diabetes is one of these areas. Patients with inflammation or infection in their gums often have difficulty managing diabetes. Whether you are pre-diabetic or managing diabetes with various treatments, it's essential to keep your gums healthy to maintain diabetes levels under control.
Why is dental care important during pregnancy?
Dental health is always important, but during pregnancy, hormonal changes can affect your gums. You want to be free of inflammation because inflammatory markers can travel through your bloodstream, potentially impacting the baby. Recent studies link poor maternal oral health to premature birth and low birth weight. Pregnant women should visit their dentist regularly and maintain good oral hygiene at home.
Can poor oral health affect my immune system?
Yes, very much so. Recent studies show a link between inflammation in the mouth and immune system function. Inflammation triggers the immune system to ramp up, often measured by inflammatory markers in the body. Inflammation in the gums, like gingivitis or periodontitis, travels through the bloodstream and can trigger other inflammatory responses. Keeping oral health in check helps avoid systemic conditions that could arise from these issues.