Good Oral Hygiene May Prevent Overall Health Problems

Artistic Touch Dentistry always encourages you to have good oral hygiene, not just for the sake of your teeth but for you body as well. The links being found between oral health and your overall health are being established on a near daily basis. You may be wondering what is the link between oral health and your overall health, and that link is referred to as biofilm. Perfectly Healthy defines biofilm as, “the sticky, colorless film that develops on your teeth, which we normally refer to as plaque.”

When plaque builds up over time, from lack of brushing and flossing your teeth, it allows your mouth to become more susceptible to gum disease and potentially leading to life-threatening health problems. “Approximately 80% of all American adults have some form of gum disease. Smoking, genetics, stress, medications (including oral contraceptives, anti-depressants and certain heart medications), pregnancy, clenching or grinding your teeth, poor nutrition, diabetes and other systemic diseases have all been implicated as risk factors for the disease,” Perfectly Healthy reported.

Researchers are studying what is linking gum disease and systematic diseases. Currently researchers are examining the possibilities that inflammation, bacteria or a combination of the two are at the heart of the link between gum disease and other health problems. In a study recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine, scientists found that, “treating severe gum disease can improve the function of blood vessel walls, thereby improving heart health. Researchers are now shifting their focus to determine if treating severe gum disease will result in fewer heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular problems.”

At Artistic Touch Dentistry, we want you to stay healthy in every way possible so make sure you follow these steps to ensure great oral hygiene and hopefully prevent other health problems from occurring!

• Make sure to brush after every meal and floss daily
• Visit us every six months for an examination and thorough cleaning, annually for radiographs
•  If you notice swelling, redness or bleeding in your gums, consult your dentist right away

Please give our office a call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Maryam Brazdo if you need an examination or have any questions relating to you oral health.