Your oral health is much more than what shows on the surface when you smile. It includes all parts of your mouth - teeth, gums, tongue and throat - and well beyond to the rest of your body. In fact, your mouth can provide clues and signs for over 120 medical conditions.
Discover just a few of the places dental health and overall health intersect and how these affect your overall well being.
Gum disease and heart health
Because studies have proven that gum disease causes inflammation in blood vessels, it can be stated that tooth loss is an indication of gum disease. This analysis comes from hundreds of thousands of patient participants in 44 studies, all looked at together to provide this conclusion. From here, the study states that having fewer teeth (more severe gum disease) is associated with heart disease and related deaths.
Keeping your teeth, mouth and gums healthy is essential to maintaining your overall health. Good dental health can help avoid other serious complications and diseases throughout the body. If you have heart disease or a heart condition, it is important to seek dental care as well as medical. Talk to your dentist if you have been told by a physician that you have heart disease.
Diabetes, gum disease and oral health
Studies have shown that diabetes and gum disease are often connected - with one condition increasing the risk of developing the other. However, this is not the only way that diabetes can change your smile.
Ways that diabetes can impact your oral health include:
- Tooth decay and loss
- Diminished flow of saliva
- Burning sensation of the mouth or tongue
- Oral infections
- A change in the way the teeth fit together
- Impaired taste
Aging and oral health
Having good oral health is key to staying healthy overall, which is why keeping our teeth and mouth healthy is important at any age.
However, as we grow older, our likelihood and susceptibility to certain medical conditions increases, which includes various conditions linked to oral health issues, such as gum disease, which is known to be connected to diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and more.
Find ways to care for your teeth as you age
Mental health and your smile
Common mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression can lead to habits and behaviors that can hurt your oral health. Some include eating disorders, teeth grinding, neglecting hygiene, and more.
Learning to manage stress and mental health symptoms in healthier ways can benefit your whole-body health.
Check out some helpful mental health resources
This information in this post is for general educational purposes only and does not warrant or represent any information as related to health as specifically appropriate for you. It is not intended to be medical advice or replace the relationship that you have with your health care providers. You should always seek medical advice on any diagnosis or treatment from a qualified health care provider. The information is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied.
