New Year’s Resolutions
The first day of each new year for many means a fresh start…365 blank pages and 365 chances to carry out New Year’s resolutions. Some of the most common resolutions typically involve improving one’s health – this may be by exercising more, losing weight, quitting smoking, etc., - but what about your oral health?
Is Oral Health Connected to Overall Health?
In a nutshell? YES. When you walk into a gym, you see people lifting weights, running on treadmills, drinking water…in other words, doing all the things we all should be doing to take care of our bodies. But, what about your mouth? Oral hygiene should be part of your daily fitness regime, too. Why? We’re glad you asked! Because your mouth and your body are not separate. Lack of oral hygiene allows the bacteria we already have present in our mouths to multiply to the point where they cause gum inflammation, which allows decay, gum disease and dental infections to form. And that inflammation doesn’t just stay in your mouth – it travels through your body, causing a host of secondary problems.
Resolve to Floss More
Bleeding gums are not normal. Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease, in which your gums may become swollen, tender and bleed during brushing. Let untreated, gingivitis may progress into more advanced stages of gum disease, which can result in tooth loss. The inflammation caused by periodontal disease does not just affect your mouth - it can affect your whole body - and has been linked with other serious health issues and concerns such as stroke, heart disease, and diabetes.
Resolve to Manage Diabetes
Since diabetics already have a reduced resistance to infection and tend to be slow healers, they are more prone to dental infections, which allows inflammation under the gumline caused by plaque and tartar to quickly progress into periodontal disease. Other contributing factors are elevated glucose levels (bacteria thrive on glucose in the saliva) and dry mouth caused by elevated glucose levels and/or medications (less saliva contributes to overgrowth of bacteria).
Keeping the above in mind, there is a reciprocal relationship that then forms between your mouth and your body. Poorly controlled glucose levels can contribute to oral infections (as well as infections in other parts of your body), which in turn causes glucose levels to rise.
Resolve to Visit Us Every Six Months
Regular cleanings and exams will help you manage your oral health and catch problems when they are small.
Questions? Contact us directly by phone (781) 942-2020, by e-mail at info@drkhull.com, or by navigating to the Contact tab of our website.
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