Your Oral Health is the Ticket to Overall Body Health

Your teeth’s health affects your overall body health! Some years back, when you had gone to your family physician for checkup, he/she might not have referred you to a gum specialist when in suspicion of a heart disease, diabetes, pregnancy or some other health condition. But now, everything has changed drastically. Gum disease may increase the risk of health complications such as stroke, diabetes and heart disease. Sometimes, these gum diseases can also be linked to problems such as dementia and pregnancy. Although there is rock-solid scientific proof backing up the associated link between oral health and overall body health, only one in six people realize that gum disease increases the risk of stroke or diabetes, while only one in three individuals realize the heart disease link. HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis and endocarditis are other possible health diseases due to oral problems.
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Allow the Link to Sink Inside You!
Bacteria accumulation on the teeth make gums prone to infection. When the immune system steps in to control infection, the gums become inflamed and the inflammation stops only when the infection is brought under control. Uncontrolled inflammation paves way for chemicals that eat up the gums and the bones surrounding the teeth resulting in periodontitis and other problems as well. Diabetes people are at increased risk of periodontitis and this connection is the strongest of all connections between the mouth and the body. Read more on diabetes and oral health at www.firsteatright.com.

Up to 91% of patients with heart disease have periodontitis and the vice versa is also true-periodontitis increases the risk of heart disease as well. Inflammation in the mouth increases the risk of inflammation in the blood vessels as well paving way for the progression of heart disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis, lung conditions such as COPD and pneumonia and obesity are other health conditions linked to periodontitis.
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Controlling the Problem
There is a two-way link between the mouth and the body: your body can affect your mouth and your mouth can affect your body. But, simply brushing your teeth properly and taking good care of your gums can prevent and treat gum disease, improve overall health and minimize the risk of health problems such as heart disease.

Brush your teeth for full two minutes twice a day and floss it up. Make it a point to visit your dentist every six month for a dental checkup. If you have periodontal disease, visit your dentist frequently and get it treated on time before you start losing your teeth.
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Eating a healthy diet with reduced sugary snack consumption, avoiding tobacco use and changing your toothbrush every 3-4 months is good for better oral health.