Does Oral Health Affect Overall Health As Well?
When we think about the benefits of good oral hygiene, the immediate and visible impacts are often the ones we notice most. If you brush your teeth regularly, your breath will smell better and your teeth will look clean and presentable. If you floss regularly, your gums will be strong and resistant to things like bleeding and more severe issues like gum disease. Most problems stemming from oral hygiene missteps we regularly think of from cavities to gingivitis mostly exist on the surface. They seem to only impact our oral health. That’s at least how we perceive the problems.
However, what many people don’t realize is that oral health has a profound impact on overall health. This means that a dental problem can affect your body outside the area inside your mouth and around your jaw. There are many ways this can happen and City Dental Centers is here to discuss some of those potential issues.
Mouth Infections Spread Bacteria Via the Bloodstream
There are several kinds of infections that can occur in the oral cavity and spread throughout the body. Typically, mild gingivitis and more severe periodontitis, or gum disease, if treated early on will not spread in such a way. However, gingivitis can become gum disease which in turn can become an infection that spreads throughout the body. Another potential outcome is trench mouth, which is a severe form of gum infection also known as acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis. Bacteria from this condition also can spread throughout the body.
Another important thing to note is that your bloodstream while healthy can flush much of the bacteria from your body without making it spread. However, quite often your immune system is NOT healthy when you have a bacterial infection. This is true even if the infection only appears to be affecting your oral hygiene.
Sometimes dentists and doctors are placed in a tricky situation when treating problems with medications or treatments and an open sore is in the mouth cavity. The reason is medications and treatments can impact the mouth’s saliva flow and balance of healthy bacteria used as part of the body’s defense system. This means bacteria can develop and spread even easier.
What Impact Does Oral Health Have on Overall Health?
Cardiovascular Disease
It’s been discovered that some instances of clogged arteries and blood clots may originate from oral inflammation due to bacteria. This can include minor conditions such as mild gingivitis all the way up to severe periodontitis. It’s been found that the bacteria in the mouth may cause inflammation throughout the body, including in the arteries. This may result in plaque in the arteries, potentially leading to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Poorly Controlled Diabetes
Chronic gum disease can make diabetes more difficult to manage. Infection can also cause insulin resistance, which disrupts blood sugar control.
Preterm Birth
If you are pregnant, you may also want to consider resolving any oral health issues as severe gum disease may increase the risk of preterm delivery or giving birth to a low-weight baby. Some estimates say as many as 18% of low birth weight babies born in the U.S. every year may be attributed to oral infections.
If you are concerned about an oral health issue, contact City Dental Centers today!
City Dental Centers is Here for YOU!
City Dental Centers and City Dental Kids & Braces are the number one choice in resolving your dental needs. We understand that your health and well-being are of vital importance to you and your family.
Let us help when it comes to all your dental and oral health concerns! We look forward to continuing to serve you and our communities both locally and abroad. There’s always more you can learn as a dentist, and we look forward to continuing to better serve you in the months and years to come!
Convenient Dentist Offices in Southern California
Doctor Sam Shahovesi and the team at City Dental Centers are here to provide our patients with the best dental services and dental surgeries for children and adults of all ages. From toddlers to seniors, City Dental Centers offers six convenient dentist offices in Southern California. We even have a dedicated children’s dentist office, City Dental Kids & Braces, to cater to the special physical and emotional needs of children.
Whether you need checkups, x-rays, braces, bonding, teeth whitening, sealants, oral cancer screenings, root canals, crowns, bridges, implants, or tooth extraction, City Dental Centers is here to make the process as easy and comfortable as possible.
Contact The Nearest Dentist to You
Ready to experience the best dentists in Los Angeles? Choose one of the convenient dental offices we have surrounding LA. We have dental practices in Azusa, Corona, Lake Forest, Montclair, Pico Rivera, and West Covina. You can call our main line at (888) 624-8933 or reach out to an office directly with the information below. We’re so happy you’ve chosen City Dental Centers. We can’t wait to help you along your dental journey and brighten your beautiful smile!
Dentist in Azusa, CA
Location: 483 S. Citrus Ave. Azusa, CA 91702
Phone: (626) 966-3400
Dentist in Corona, CA
Location: 161 McKinley St. STE 102, Corona, CA 92879
Phone: (951) 737-3746
Dentist in Lake Forest, CA
Location: 24602 Raymond Way #210, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Phone: (949) 461-5800
Dentist in Montclair, CA
Location: 5182 Moreno St, Montclair, CA 91763
Phone: (909) 295-3477
Dentist in Pico Rivera, CA
Location: 9400 Whittier Blvd, Pico Rivera, CA 90660
Phone: (562) 949-2526
Dentist in West Covina, CA
Location: 154 Plaza Dr, West Covina, CA 91790
Phone: (626) 962-1722