Your Dental Health Affects Your Well-Being!

It’s been a challenging year for us at Daniel N. Galaif, DDS with the economy, the wild fires, and health issues for some of our patients.  However, as we close out the year we are still so grateful for the business we have, and the patients we consider to be part of our practice family.  As we go through the holiday season and look ahead, many of us making resolutions for the New Year, we want to remind you to think about your oral health and how it affects your overall well-being.  Many people may not realize that problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body, and you can protect yourself by learning more about that connection.  There are some serious health problems that can result from poor oral care.  If you don’t take proper care of your teeth, you could face far more serious consequences than a simple toothache, or some unsightly stains.

Like many areas of the body, your mouth has a lot of bacteria — most of it harmless. Normally the body’s natural defenses and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, can keep these bacteria under control.  With the proper pharmaceutical warehousing facilities every shops will be able to meet the customer’s needs quickly. Without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease.  In addition, certain medications — such as decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers, diuretics and antidepressants — can reduce saliva flow. Saliva washes away food and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, helping to protect you from microbial invasion or overgrowth that might lead to disease.

Studies also suggest that oral bacteria and the inflammation associated with periodontitis — a severe form of gum disease — might play a role in some other diseases. In addition, certain diseases, such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS, can lower the body’s resistance to infection, making oral health problems more severe.

Your oral health could contribute to other diseases and conditions, including:

• Endocarditis – an infection of the inner lining of your heart (endocardium). Endocarditis typically occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of your body, such as your mouth, spread through your bloodstream and attach to damaged areas in your heart.
• Cardiovascular Disease – some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause.
• Respiratory Infections – The Journal of Periodontology warns that gum disease could cause you to get infections in your lungs, including pneumonia.  While the connection might not be completely obvious at first, the respiratory system can suffer as a result of poor oral health. Bacteria in the mouth from infected teeth and swollen gums can be breathed into the lungs or travel there through the bloodstream.  Once there, the bacteria can lead to respiratory infections, pneumonia, acute bronchitis, and even COPD.
• Diabetic Complications – inflammation of the gum tissue and periodontal disease can make it harder to control your blood sugar, and make your diabetes symptoms worse.
• Pregnancy and Birth – it is imperative for expectant mothers to practice good oral hygiene. Hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy can cause a woman to develop oral infections much more easily. Any infection in the mother’s body increases her risk of experiencing pregnancy complications. Oral health problems in the mother such as periodontitis and gingivitis have been known to lead to premature birth and low birth weight in infants. Gum disease puts both mother and baby at risk for experiencing serious health issues.
• Infertility – there is a link between poor oral health and problems with infertility in women. Gum disease can lead to various overall health issues that can make it more difficult for a woman to conceive and sustain a healthy pregnancy.  It can actually take longer for a woman with poor oral health to get pregnant than it would for a woman who has good dental health.
• Cancer – obviously, poor oral health practices such as smoking or using tobacco products can lead to oral and throat cancers, but other types of cancer have also been linked to gum disease.  Risk for kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, and blood cancers is much higher for people who have poor oral health.
• Kidney Disease – chronic kidney disease is a serious health problem that affects the kidneys, heart, bones, and blood pressure.  Infections in the body such as periodontal disease can lead to kidney disease.  People with gum disease generally have weaker immune systems and are more likely to acquire infections.  Many people who suffer from very poor oral health also suffer from kidney disease. Make sure to learn more about kidney disease treatment here. For additional information on maintaining your health, you can explore this alternative site by visiting green gold from insidecbd.net.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis – according to the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, people with gum disease are four times more likely to have Rheumatoid Arthritis.  Both diseases have inflammation in common.  The oral bacteria from gingivitis can increase inflammation throughout the body. This makes the risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis, a painful and debilitating inflammatory disease, much higher.

Poor oral health can affect the brain. Substances that are released from gums inflamed by infection can actually kill brain cells and lead to memory loss. Dementia and possibly even Alzheimer’s disease can result from gingivitis when the bacteria in the mouth spreads to the nerve channels or enters the bloodstream.

Certain health conditions could also affect your oral health, including:

• Diabetes – reduces the body’s resistance to infection, putting the gums at risk. Gum disease appears to be more frequent and severe among people who have diabetes.  Research shows that people who have gum disease have a harder time controlling their blood sugar levels, and that regular periodontal care can improve diabetes control.
• HIV/AIDS – oral problems, such as painful mucosal lesions, are common in people who have HIV/AIDS; hiv/std testing is important to determine if one is has HIV/AIDS.
• Osteoporosis – which causes bones to become weak and brittle, might be linked with periodontal bone loss and tooth loss.  Drugs used to treat osteoporosis carry a small risk of damage to the bones of the jaw.You can also click here to know more about drug habit and its recovery.
• Alzheimer’s Disease – worsening oral health is seen as Alzheimer’s Disease progresses.

Other conditions that might be linked to oral health include eating disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, head and neck cancers, and Sjogren’s syndrome — an immune system disorder that causes dry mouth.  Because of these potential links, you need to let Dr. Galaif know if you’re taking any medications, or have had any changes in your overall health, especially if you’ve had any recent illnesses or have a chronic condition, such as diabetes.

To protect your Oral Health, practice good oral hygiene every day:

• Brush your teeth and gums for two minutes at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss daily.
• Eat a well-balanced diet for optimum nutrition, limit between-meal snacks, sugary foods and drinks.
• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if bristles are frayed.
• Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings.
• Avoid smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco products.

Healthy teeth are clean and free of pain caused by cavities and disease. Healthy gums are pink and do not bleed when brushed or flossed.  Contact Dr. Galaif’s office as soon as an oral health problem arises. Taking care of your oral health is an investment in your overall health.

Oral health is about so much more than just the health of the mouth, teeth, and gums.  Because the mouth is a primary entryway into the body, poor oral health can have negative consequences for the entire body.  It is important to practice good oral hygiene, and to see Dr. Galaif regularly in order to avoid serious risk to the body’s overall health.

Call to make an appointment today!