Don’t Forget About Your Oral Health

Artistic Touch Dentistry wants you to know that maintaining good oral health is so much more than brushing and flossing your teeth. A Public Oral Health Report written by Regina M. Benjamin, MD, MBA, says that, “good oral health involves your gums and their supporting tissues, the palate, the lining of the mouth and throat, the tongue, the lips, the salivary glands, the chewing muscles, the nerves, and the bones of the upper and lower jaws.”

There have been numerous studies conducted over the past few years that link oral health with the overall health of your body. The thought is that if you have poor oral health then you may be at risk for other potential problems. “Therefore, oral health refers to the health of our mouth, which ultimately supports the health of the entire body,” Benjamin explains.

The use of fluoridated drinking water and dental sealants has improved the overall oral health in America. Water fluoridation began around 1945 and adds the mineral fluoride to our public water supply as a way to reduce tooth decay.  Dental sealants have also worked to improve the overall health of teeth because sealants protect the depressions and grooves of your teeth from food particles and plaque that brushing and flossing can’t reach.

“Fifty-three million people live with untreated tooth decay in their permanent teeth,” Benjamin reports. However, with the addition of fluoride to toothpaste, mouthwashes, and our water supply we have been taking steps to reduce the number of people with tooth decay.

Don’t take your oral health for granted, please call our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Maryam Brazdo today!