Did you know that your oral health plays one of the crucial roles in your overall wellness? You might be surprised to find out just how important the health of your mouth, gums, and teeth is for your overall health, but it’s true.

By taking good care of your teeth and gums, you will ensure that you stay healthy and the quality of your life will significantly improve too.

If you still aren’t sure what the connection between the two is, read on to find out.

Dental problems and Heart Diseases

There are many cases where seemingly harmless dental problems have worsened and developed into something more serious – cardiovascular disease and arterial blockages. Even though the exact link between the two is yet to be examined closely, the evidence is clear – people who suffer from gum disease are also at an increased risk of developing heart disease. The bacteria in your mouth that causes gum disease can affect your heart valves too, and this is a risk that you shouldn’t take, especially if you’ve had heart surgery before and have artificial heart valves.

Diabetes and Gum Disease

It’s been noted that people who suffer from diabetes also have some form of gum disease. What is more, it seems like those who have both diabetes and gum disease have a more severe case of periodontitis almost as a rule.

Because their gums are constantly inflamed, people with both diabetes and periodontitis have a hard time monitoring and controlling their blood sugar levels.

Still, it’s important to point out that even though these two conditions are clearly connected, scientists are still not sure if one causes the other.

The First Signs of Trouble

Prevention is the key, but early detection of oral problems can also help you prevent more serious ones, so you have to be on your guard. If you notice that your gums bleed when you floss or when you brush your teeth, make sure you get them checked. Also, if your gums are red and swollen for no particular reason, and if you see that they have pulled away from your teeth, it can be the first sign of periodontitis.

Even the seemingly insignificant things such as the change when you bite your food are important – if your teeth don’t seem to fit together as they used to, or they seem more separated than before.

If you notice any of these, make an appointment with your dentist and tell them about it immediately.

Take Good Care of Yourself

You might ask yourself what you can do to ensure that you stay healthy. This is simple: you have to adopt some healthy habits and focus on prevention of dental problems. Try to cut down on your sugar intake and try drinking more water instead of sodas and juices. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Also, make sure you get regular checkups: visit dental offices that put your comfort first, and perhaps even turn an appointment with your dentist into a spa-like experience (If you are in the Mascot, NSW area, you may want to consider contacting Delight Dental Spa.)

Lastly, if you are at higher risk of developing gum disease, your dentist might suggest that you use an antimicrobial mouth rinse every day. 

Your Oral Microbiome

You have probably known this for a while, but your mouth contains a large number of bacteria, and not all of them are bad for you. There is also a unique microbiome in your mouth that heavily influences your oral as well as your overall health. In case the number of bacteria in your oral microbiome becomes too high, you will start experiencing some oral health problems.

Tooth decay, as well as periodontitis, are among the most common problems people experience, and they can lead to even bigger health complications.

Your mouth is like a window that allows health specialists to learn more about your overall health and the condition of your body. This is why dentists are able to spot signs of nutritional deficiencies and general infection early on.

If you want to stay healthy, going to the gym and minding your diet are important steps, but you should also take good care of your teeth. You don’t want to experience any health problems, regular brushing and flossing are a must.

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