The benefits of a healthy mouth and teeth extend far beyond the ability to bite into an apple and to flash an attractive smile. While taking good care of your mouth, teeth, and gums will help prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath, as well as help you to retain your teeth despite getting older, research suggests that the benefits of sound oral health may be even more far-reaching. Those regular check-ups at the dentist might not only be good for your appearance, but they could also be saving you from serious health issues such as a heart attack or a stroke. Diabetics with oral health issues frequently find it harder to manage their condition while, in pregnancy, those issues could lead to premature labour.
Regular brushing and flossing are important to prevent the build-up of plaque, especially around the gums, where it can create conditions that favour the growth of the bacteria responsible for gingivitis. Untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis and eventually lead to the acute ulceration and necrosis seen in the condition known as trench mouth. Just the thought of that should be enough to send most people scuttling off to visit their dentist.
Once an oral infection becomes established, it is likely that the responsible bacteria will find their way into the bloodstream but, for those with a healthy immune system, this should pose no problem. However, should the immune system be compromised, those bacteria can infect other parts of the body. A common complication is endocarditis in which oral bacteria infect the valves of the heart.
Too often, the only thing that will prompt a patient to visit a dental surgery is an existing problem such as toothache. However, every bit as important as the role of a dentist in treating such problems and their effects, once they have manifest, is their role in attempting to ensure that they don’t occur in the first place. In practice, to avoid such complications also requires patients to adopt a more proactive role in maintaining and monitoring their oral health. While everything may look and feel good to the layman, these healthcare professionals are trained to detect the early signs that could later spell trouble and to take the necessary action to prevent it.
Why wait until a filling, a root canal treatment, or an extraction becomes necessary? Scheduling regular check-ups with your dentist and following their advice on oral care can save you pain and distress, not to mention time and expense, as well as safeguarding your general health. Why not call an Intercare dental clinic today?