Most health insurance policies provide medical care separately from dental care, a pattern than makes no sense! Oral health and overall health are closely interconnected, and when one suffers, the other also suffers as a result.
Dental Health and the Heart
Inflammation links poor oral health and heart problems. The gums inside of the mouth are vascular, which means they are full of blood vessels, while the mouth itself is filled with bacteria. When unhealthy gums become inflamed, the bacteria in the mouth can seep into the bloodstream and travel anywhere within the body, creating more inflammation as they go. This is incredible dangerous, especially to the heart.
Inflammation causes hardened arteries and makes it difficult for blood to flow to the heart. This severely increases your risk for heart attack and stroke. When the inflammation of atherosclerosis combines with the inflammation and roaming bacteria caused by poor oral hygiene and gum disease, the results can be fatal.
Dental Health and Diabetes
The most common symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, excessive thirst, vision problems, and numbness in the hands and feet. If diabetes continues uncontrolled and untreated, serious health complications can arise, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, and blindness. Unfortunately, some long-term damage can also occur in the mouth.
The high blood sugar levels caused by uncontrolled diabetes actually weaken the body’s white blood cells. Since white blood cells serve as the body’s main defense against bacterial infections in the mouth, a person with diabetes becomes more prone to cavities, decay, gum disease, dry mouth, and thrush.
Start Improving Your Dental Health Today
If you want a truly healthy mouth, it’s not enough to just brush and floss everyday. You need a trusted and experienced dentist to evaluate your dental health and guide you to the treatments and preventative measures that will best protect your teeth and gums.
At Dental Implant Solutionz in Largo, Florida, Dr. Tadros is proud to offer dental treatment ranging from LANAP to full mouth implants and rehabilitation. Call (727) 202-4926 today to schedule your first appointment.
