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January 2, 2023

Oral Health and its Effect on Overall Health

Having a beautiful smile does wonders for confidence, but did you know that a beautiful, healthy smile is also good for overall and oral health?

That’s right when you keep your teeth and gums in good shape with regular dental appointments in Houston you and your body will thank you for it.

Oral Health Matters

Consider this, your mouth is the runway to your body and must be healthy if you want the rest of you to be as well.

According to LifeSmiles by Randy Mitchmore DDS, a failing smile could cause issues for overall health.

Studies show that people who suffer from health problems, such as respiratory disease, COPD and stroke also have a higher percentage of periodontitis.

Periodontitis, or periodontal disease, is the second stage of gum disease and is also incurable. Moreover, if left untreated periodontitis can lead to more serious health issues.

What’s the Connection?

Just like the rest of your body your teeth and gums are loaded with bacteria and while most of it is harmless it won’t stay that way if you don’t take care of your teeth.

Bad bacteria thrive on food particles. A lack of brushing and flossing allows the debris to convert to acid and bacteria. This eventually leads to tooth decay and gum disease. A real threat to oral health.

Keep in mind that your mouth is the point of entry. This means everything goes directly to your respiratory and digestive tracts.

What makes this even worse is that some of the bad bacteria lead to disease. This is just another reason oral health is vital for overall health.

According to LifeSmiles by Randy Mitchmore DDS oral health is a major contributor to overall health and could contribute to:

  • Endocarditis
  • Birth and Pregnancy Complications
  • Stroke
  • Heart Attack
  • COPD
  • Respiratory Illness
  • Pneumonia

If you have diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Osteoporosis, or Alzheimer’s disease, gum disease can be extremely hard to control as well. Scheduling dental checkups more often helps stop gingivitis and periodontal disease from getting worse.

Protecting Oral Health

You can protect your oral health by practicing the following:

  • Brushing twice a day
  • Flossing once every 24 hours
  • Using a mouthwash
  • Eating a diet that is full of vitamins and minerals
  • Limiting sugar
  • Replacing your toothbrush
  • Scheduling annual dental checkups
  • Committing to twice yearly professional cleanings

Keep your oral health in check and schedule an appointment with Randy Mitchmore DDS. The team is ready to help you stay healthy with dental care that you won’t find anywhere else.

Schedule an appointment with your Houston dentist today.