Happy 2018! New Year’s resolutions are not as popular as they once were, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make changes to your everyday life. Now is always the right time! Did you know oral health affects your overall health? It’s important to brush and floss daily along with dental check-ups every 3 to 6 months. Poor oral habits can lead to gum disease because your mouth is swarming with bacteria. And gum disease is linked to heart diseases, diabetes, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Oral health is strongly connected to your total health.
Heart Disease
Are you wondering how your oral health relates to your heart? Everyday brushing and flossing manages the bacteria levels in your mouth. Without daily cleaning, bacteria is free to flow into your blood stream and can travel to yourarteries. Arteries are blood vessels that distribute oxygen from your heart to your body. This can lead to atherosclerosis, whereplaque builds up on the inner layers of your arteries. This can cause clots that can block blood flow through your body. Poor dental health increases the likelihood of suffering a heart attack or stroke.
Source: American Heart Association
Diabetes
Did you know you are 3 to 4 times more likely to have gum disease after being diagnosed with diabetes? Diabetes affects how your body defends itself against bacteria,leaving you at a higher risk for gum disease. It can also make your blood sugar level constantly increase. Without control of diabetes, your body has a much harder time fighting the bacteria attacking your gums. People receiving gum disease treatment not only get a healthier mouth, but often show improvements with their blood sugar levels. Be sure to keep us updated on your health history and medication lists.
Source: American Diabetes Association
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is no excuse to slack on your oral care. Changing hormone levels can reduce your resistance to oral bacteria, and can cause your gums to bleed and swell. This can lead to a condition called pregnancy gingivitis. Another thing to look out for are pregnancy “tumors”. These are fast-growing, severe reactions to oral infection, that are more likely to appear during your second trimester. If you begin to feel pain or irritation, see your dentist immediately, so that the bacteria do not get into your blood stream.
A common side effect of pregnancy is morning sickness, which can be alarming for your teeth. The acid from your stomach can lead to tooth decay and other types of damage. We recommended rinsing with baking soda and water any time that you have an episode of morning sickness, to neutralize the acid effects. Dental appointments and procedures are strongly encouraged during pregnancy to help prevent gum disease. It is optimal to have dental work done after the first trimester, because the development of fetal organs are complete, and the risks of side effects are lower. Once you are in the third trimester, it may be harder for you to lay on your back for a long period of time.
Source: American Pregnancy Association
Living a healthy lifestyle can seem overwhelming at first, but remember to make small strides daily. Here are five healthy habits for a happy life.
- Brush your teeth after meals and at bedtime
- Floss at least once daily
- Preventive dental health screening, at least once every six months
- Smile and Laugh
- Physical Activity
- Adequate sleep
Rod M. Rogge, DDS
762 Independence Blvd., Ste. 500
Virginia Beach, VA 23455 (map)
(757) 333-7444
Virginia Beach Periodontist 