Oral health is an important part of your overall health. Your body is a network of connected systems, and the health of your mouth can be a strong indicator about other aspects of your health and well-being. From your skull to your heart, it can affect a surprising number of bodily functions.
Why is Oral Health Important?
Your mouth is the gateway to other parts of your body, such as your digestive and respiratory systems. But because the mouth contains a lot of bacteria, improper oral health can tip the balance and induce negative ripple effects. Certain severe gum diseases, if not caught quickly, can cause inflammation and pain before spreading to other parts of your body.
Your oral health is also linked to the health of your jaw and skull. Tooth decay and palate issues such as grinding can create problems for your jaw and lead to pain and severe headaches. To put it more plainly, problems with your teeth can be connected to a migraine, which goes to show how interconnected our whole body is.
Physical Benefits
Having good oral health can improve your overall quality of life. Properly aligned teeth allow you to chew properly, which can aid digestion and prevent choking. Catching a grinding issue early on can prevent TMJ dysfunction and chronic migraines. You can reduce the number of times you end up in the dentist’s chair for cavity fillings or oral surgery. The array of oral health benefits should convince you to maintain your oral hygiene practices.
Self-Esteem
Your emotional and mental health, including your self-esteem, also factor into your overall well-being. Insecurities about your teeth can make you less confident. If you cover your mouth while smiling or laughing because you are worried about people seeing your teeth, it may be time to address that. Part of oral health includes cosmetic dentistry or orthodontic care such as Invisalign. You might want to consider that route if your teeth are bringing down your self-esteem.
Potential Complications from Head to Toe
A severe form of gum disease called periodontal disease, or periodontitis, is one of the most dangerous consequences for the rest of your body. In addition to destroying the soft tissue in your mouth and the bones of your teeth, bacteria from gum disease can enter your bloodstream and lead to other health complications. Inflammation from periodontitis can put you at greater risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The World Health Organization also found that diabetes is connected to the progression of gum disease.
Reverse Diagnoses
Some health issues that are not related to the mouth can cause problems. For instance, HIV can emerge through oral health issues such as lesions, ulcers, and other bacterial infections in the mouth. If you take care of your oral health, your dentist may be able to rule out improper oral hygiene as the cause of these complications and identify a more significant underlying issue.
How To Take Care of Your Oral Health
There are easy steps to keep your oral health in check. You should keep up your normal hygiene practices of brushing and flossing regularly. Make sure not to miss your scheduled visits to the dentist, where they look for signs of gum disease, tooth decay, and grinding. Tobacco use can lead to higher rates of oral cancer, so cutting back on smoking or chewing tobacco can improve your chances of avoiding cancer.
Talk To a Family Dentist Today
If you are looking for an expert in oral health, look no further than Eriks Dental Group. Our practice can serve your entire family. Let us help maintain your oral health – and by extension help your overall health. Give us a call today at 561-733-4004 to learn more about our dental and orthodontic services