Here at Tory Hill Dental, we would like to welcome you to our blog. We hope you find our blog fun, interesting and informative. Our first topic is:
Dental Hygiene–Important for your whole body not just your smile.
The state of your dental hygiene has a great effect on your body and health. Neglecting your teeth and gums leads to tooth decay and gum disease. Both can cause major health problems such as heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer, and complications of pregnancy. The following is a breakdown of the damaging effects of poor dental hygiene.
Heart Disease: Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gums. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease. Bacteria in your mouth can enter the bloodstream through your gums, potentially causing blockages in the arteries or swelling of the arteries, which increases the risk of blood clots.
Complicated Pregnancies: A study of 366 pregnant women revealed an oral bacteria in the amniotic fluid of women whose pregnancies were complicated by preterm birth. A prior study showed that nonsurgical periodontal therapy could lower the rate of preterm birth. Periodontitis was also found more prevalent in women who had preterm low birth weight infants than in women whose infants had a normal birth weight.
Diabetes: Individuals with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than individuals without diabetes, more often so because individuals with diabetes are more susceptible to contracting infections. Research shows that periodontal disease makes it more difficult for individuals who have diabetes to control their blood sugar because severe periodontal disease can increase blood sugar levels.
Respiratory Disease: Bacteria growth in the mouth can be inhaled into the lungs and can cause respiratory issues such as pneumonia.
Cancer: Research has found that men and women with gum disease were more likely to develop certain types of cancer.
Maintaining your oral health is more than just brushing and flossing. Be sure to avoid the following if you want to keep your teeth and gums healthy:
Sugary foods and drinks: Sugars contribute to tooth decay and bacteria growth. Sucrose in sugar joins with bacteria in your mouth and forms lactic acid. Lactic acid eats away at your tooth causing decay.
Smoking: Tobacco products can greatly increase your chances of periodontal disease. Smoking affects the normal function of gum tissue, making you more susceptible to infection and impairs blood flow, affecting the healing of diseased tissue. Smokeless tobacco causes mouth sores and cancer.
Alcohol: Alcohol irritates gum tissue. Also, people who drink frequently tend to make poor eating choices which leads to nutritional deficiencies.
To keep your teeth and gums in optimal health be sure to have a daily routine of brushing twice a day, flossing, and using a mouthwash. Maintain a healthy diet packed with fruits and vegetables and don’t forget to visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. Remember, your health depends on it!
Make an appointment today with Tory Hill Dental for a checkup and cleaning to ensure your teeth and gums are as healthy as possible. Call 207-929-6626 or visit the website at https://toryhilldental.com.