That’s why regular trips to the dentist can rewrite your overall health narrative. Visiting the dentist isn’t just about cleaning teeth or avoiding cavities—it is a vital part of vigilance about your health. A healthy mouth means a healthy body, and skipping dental checkups can lead to more than a toothache.
You need to schedule regular dental visits. Here’s why:
Dentists don’t just check for cavities. They’re trained to spot signs of gum disease, infections, oral cancer, and other conditions that can start quietly. Moreover, some of these conditions are painless and may cause irreversible damage to the body before being detected.
For instance, bacteria from gum disease, medically termed peridontitis, can eat away at your gums and bone holding your teeth, and has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, respiratory problems, and even pregnancy complications. Certain germs can reach the lungs. What follows is pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.
Oral cancer is painless but grows silently. So, early detection is crucial. Other cancers linked to the mouth are cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, lung and breast cancer, and cancer of the prostate gland and uterus. Germs from a dental abscess can spread through the bloodstream and cause sepsis — another life-threatening condition.
Endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers or valves, has been traced back to germs from other parts of the body, including the mouth, which spread through the bloodstream and attach to certain areas of the heart. Endocarditis is rare but fatal when it happens. In short, good dental hygiene is part of heart-smart living
Gum inflammation results in inflammation in the body. Research has established a link between gum infection and heart disease, stroke, and other serious issues. Healthy gums can lower your risk of serious medical conditions.
Dry mouth or xerostomia restricts the production of saliva, which protects against decay and infection. In the absence of saliva, bacteria thrive, raising the risk for gum disease and systemic infections. A tooth erosion can point to a greater problem like acid reflux, which, if left untreated, can cause esophageal cancer. A painless condition like teeth grinding during sleep can cause fractures, tooth loss, and jaw disorders, which can trigger chronic headaches and affect posture and sleep.
A diabetes patient has limited ability to fight infection, putting the gums at further risk. Gum disease is seen frequently and takes a serious turn in diabetics. Diabetics with gum disease find it difficult to control their blood sugar. Regular dental check-ups go a long way in improving blood sugar control. Other conditions traced back to bad oral health are eating disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and an immune system condition that causes dry mouth called Sjögren’s syndrome.
That’s why The Dental Medical Convergence is working to educate families, dentists, and physicians on the link between oral health and overall health. Visiting a dentist regularly – many dentists suggest going every six months – can benefit you in more ways than you imagine.
A dentist will monitor the health of your teeth and gums, screen you for oral cancer, and pay attention to any signs of gum disease. A dentist will also help you identify the right method of cleaning your mouth based on your oral health. Dentists may encourage some patients to add an extra teeth cleaning to their regimen.
It’s important to address oral health conditions before it’s too late.