How Oral Health Affects Overall Health

The next time you visit your dentist, you won't just be undergoing an exam or getting your teeth cleaned. You'll also be taking an important step towards better health for your whole body. Having good oral health can reduce your risk of developing serious illnesses like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It can also lead to a safer pregnancy.
 

The Mouth-Body Connection

Our mouths are full of bacteria. While some of this bacteria is harmless, some of it is disease-causing. If you have healthy teeth and gums, all that bacteria in your mouth is nothing to concern yourself with. However, if your oral health is not good, the harmful bacteria in your mouth can lead to problems like tooth decay and gum disease. And to make matters even worse, having poor oral health increases your risk of developing problems elsewhere in your body because all that harmful bacteria can travel throughout your body via the bloodstream.

If you fail to properly brush and floss your teeth every day, plaque will build up along your gum line to create the ideal environment for harmful bacteria to accumulate between your gums and teeth. This will lead to a form of gum disease called gingivitis. If gingivitis is left untreated, it can lead to a more serious gum infection called periodontitis. As periodontitis progresses, the tissues and bones that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed. This can lead to eventual tooth loss. In the meantime, all that harmful bacteria can travel from your mouth to other tissues in your body including your vital organs like your heart to begin a new infection.
 

Keep Your Mouth & Body Healthy 

Considering that your oral health can directly affect your overall health, you should be sure that you're not slacking off with your brushing and flossing. Make a point of practicing excellent oral hygiene every single day for good mouth and body health. But brushing and flossing isn't enough to keep your oral and overall health in good shape as you also need to visit your dentist for regular oral exams and professional cleanings. And of course, you should be eating a well-balanced diet so your mouth and body get all the vitamins and nutrients they need to stay healthy!
 

Schedule a Visit With Dr. Johnson Today

At the office of Dr. Christian Johnson, all our dental services from routine exams and cleanings to our Waldorf, MD implant dentistry are designed to help our patients achieve and maintain good oral health. If it's time for you to visit Dr. Johnson, please call our office at (301) 645-3230 or request an appointment online. We look forward to seeing you soon and helping you enjoy all the benefits that come with having a healthy and attractive smile!