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Originally Posted On: https://smilesbystylos.com/how-oral-health-affects-overall-health/

How Oral Health Affects Overall Health

Good oral health doesn’t just affect your teeth. Find out how taking care of your teeth, including regular dental visits can have huge benefits for your health.

Did you know there are 700 species of microbes that live in your mouth?

You can probably guess that many of these germs can cause disease and decay in your teeth and gums. But did you also know that your oral health affects your overall health?

Keep reading to learn more about how what goes on in your mouth affects your body – and vice versa.

The Connection Between Oral Health and Overall Health

Maintaining proper oral health is important for more than just your smile. In fact, when you neglect to brush and floss, you risk negatively affecting your overall health.

Your body’s immune system helps you fight off the bad bacteria that live in your mouth. But when you don’t do your part, those bacteria can enter your bloodstream and spread to other parts of your body.

All underlying health conditions have inflammation as a common thread. Two major sources of inflammation in the body have been traced to a person’s the mouth.  One is the health of a person’s teeth and gums. The other is a person’s airway or their ability to breathe through their mouth and nose.

Conditions such as gum disease (periodontist or gingivitis) or airway issues that prevent sound rest full sleep (Sleep apnea -No Breathing or Sleep Hypoxia -Bad Breathing) have been shown in numerous studies to dramatically impact a person’s overall health!

When you visit the Smiles By Stylos team regularly, we screen each patient to see how their oral health is and if they are risk to catch major diseases at an early stage. By recognizing the dental signs in your oral health and how they relate to you overall health, Dr. Stylos and the Smiles By Stylos team will work with you to educate and provide you with the everyday skills and tools you’ll need  to maximized your Dental AND Overall health.

Dr. Stylos, in his past role as a pharmacist, knows the importance of keeping your physician or other health care providers in the loop. He will always reach out and share this important information to any of the patient’s health care providers.

The following are just a few of the most common diseases that are connected to oral health:

Heart Disease

There is a correlation between oral health and heart health. Inflamed gums can contribute to poor heart health and conditions including stroke, clogged arteries, and endocarditis.

Diabetes

People with diabetes often have difficulty fighting infections. This includes gum disease.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis can lead to bone fracture and loss. This includes your jaw bone and your teeth.

Cancer

You can actually develop oral cancers as well as cancers like leukemia if you don’t practice good hygiene. Prompt treatment is important.

HIV/AIDS

These diseases can produce oral complications. A common example is mouth lacerations.

ADD/ADHD Misdiagnosis

Many young children are misdiagnosis simply because they are overtired due to airway issues. The dental signs are large tongues, tongues tied to the floor of the mouth, long face syndrome and shiners under the eyes.

Maintaining Good Oral Health

The best thing you can do to maintain your oral health and promote good overall health is to visit www.SmilesbyStylos.com and request and appointment or call our office directly at 978-256-6433.

Regular visits to Smiles By Stylos Team not only keep your teeth and mouth in great shape, but it will allow Dr. Stylos  to catch any oral manifestations of systemic disease at an early stage.

When you visit, be sure to provide your complete medical history. With this information, we can look for signs of connections to your overall health like nutritional and development problems.

Maintaining good oral health is a lifelong process and an important part of staying healthy overall. The Smiles By Stylos Team can help treat as well as prevent dental problems and identify signs of bigger issues.

Here are some of the best things you can do at home to promote good oral health:

• Waterpik  for 2 mins and Use an Oral B iO Brush 2 mins twice a day
• Use toothpaste containing Flouride
• Floss daily
• Avoid cigarettes or tobacco products
• Follow a healthy diet

Helping You Stay Healthy

Hopefully, you have a better idea of the importance of the connection between oral health and overall health.

Here at Smiles by Stylos, your health and wellness are our top priorities. We offer a variety of dental services including exams and checkups.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment or learn more about what we can do for you.