Taking good care of your mouth–teeth and gums—does more than help ensure you have a bright, white smile. A healthy mouth and healthy body go hand in hand! Good oral hygiene can improve your overall health, reducing the risk of serious disease. The phrase “healthy mouth, healthy you” really is true—backed now by scientific evidence. Keep in mind these 6 ways having healthy teeth and gums that help boost overall health.

Boost Your Self-esteem and Confidence

Decayed teeth and gum disease are often associated not only with an unsightly mouth, but bad breath as well.  Bad breath can affect your confidence, self-image and self-esteem. With a healthy mouth that is free of gum disease and cavities, your quality of life is  bound to be better. You can eat properly, sleep better and concentrate with no aching teeth or gum infections to distract you.

May Lower Risk of Heart Disease

Chronic inflammation from gum disease have been associated with the development of cardiovascular problems such as heart disease, blockages of blood vessels and strokes. The link between gum disease and other serious health problems has shown up in numerous studies too. The findings of these studies suggest that maintaining oral health can protect your overall health.

Preserves Your Memory

Adults with gingivitis (swollen, bleeding gums) performed worse on tests of memory and other cognitive skills than those with healthy gums and mouths.  Those with gingivitis were also more likely to perform poorly on two tests: delayed verbal recall and subtraction–both are skills used in everyday life.

Reduces Risks of Infection and Inflammation in Your Body

Poor oral health has been linked with the development of infection in other parts of the body.

Research has found an association between gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis, an auto-immune disease that causes inflammation of the joints. Experts say that the mechanism of destruction of connective tissues in both gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis is similar. Eating a balanced diet and seeing your Family Dentist regularly and good oral hygiene helps reduce your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Helps Keep Blood Sugar Stable if You Have Diabetes

People with uncontrolled diabetes often have gum disease. Having diabetes can make you less able to fight off infections, including gum infections that can lead to serious gum disease. Some experts found if you have diabetes, you are more likely to develop more severe gum problems than someone without diabetes. This will make it more difficult for you to control blood sugar levels as well.

Helps Pregnant Women Carry a Baby to Term

Women may experience increased gingivitis during pregnancy. Research suggests a relationship between gum disease and preterm, low-birth weight infants. If you are pregnant, be sure to include a dental visit Dr.Shlafer as part of your prenatal care.

If you have any dental concerns relating to a medical problem, please know that Dr.Shlafer is available to discuss your issues.

It is easy to sometimes ignore the effects of poor oral hygiene because they are hidden in your mouth. But gum disease produces a bleeding,  infected area equivalent to the size of the palms of both of your hands! Perhaps if the infection were in a more visible place, it may be taken more seriously.

You might think that the worst consequence of poor dental health would be lost teeth, but some studies have linked common oral health problems to illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes,premature birth, osteoporosis, and even Alzheimer’s disease. In most cases, the strength and exact nature of the link is unclear, but they suggest that dental health is important to preserving overall health.

How gum disease spreads

Periodontal disease is an infection caused by  unhealthy bacteria that lodge between your teeth and gum. Simply brushing your teeth is enough to put some of those bacteria into your bloodstream. The bacteria can then travel to major organs where they can spur new infections.

Inflammation also plays a role in spreading the effects of bad oral health. Red, swollen gum tissue signal the body’s inflammatory response to periodontal bacteria. Evidence is mounting of the importance of the “mouth-body connection,” as dental problems are being linked to a growing list of other ailments.

Oral Health and Diabetes

Diabetes and gum disease can interact in a vicious circle. Infections of any kind, including gum disease cause  the body to produce proteins called cytokines, which increase insulin resistance and make blood sugar more difficult to control. Conversely, uncontrolled  diabetes impairs the body’s healing mechanism, which makes it harder to control gum disease.

Diabetic patients who avoid the dentist will have problems that go beyond teeth loss. You will not be able to successfully manage your diabetes unless you go to the dentist.  Gum disease may also speed the progression to full blown diabetes for those patients that are classified as prediabetic.

Oral Health and Heart Disease

People with periodontal disease are nearly twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without it. Recent analysis suggests common oral problems could increase the risk of cardiac problems. Researchers found that periodontal disease, with signs of bacterial exposure was associated with greater risk of heart disease.

Oral Health and Premature Birth

OBGYN’s always knew that  preterm and low-birth weight births could be triggered by infections in the body. Studies show that severe periodontal disease in the mother may lead to an increase in the risk of premature birth. Remember those cytokines? Turns out they also increase the level of prostaglandin, which triggers labor. Fortunately early treatment of gum disease and improved oral hygiene in women can reduce their risk of premature birth.

Other conditions that indicate a link between dental health and overall health include:

Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis and tooth loss often go hand in hand because the same decrease in mineral density that boosts the risk of hip fractures affects the jawbone and teeth.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: A study released in June 2008 found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis were nearly 8 times more likely to have periodontal disease.

Alzheimer’s Disease: A study in 2005 of identical twins showed that in pairs where one had dementia and the other didn’t, the ones with dementia were 4 times more likely to have gum disease by midlife. The study doesn’t say that good oral health prevents Alzheimer’s, but that inflammation early in life can have severe consequences later.

Health Mouth, Healthy Body

With the mouth and body so closely linked, it makes sense for physicians and dentists to collaborate closely. The above findings show the importance of oral hygiene. Brushing twice a day, flossing, and regular visits to see Dr. Shlafer. In most cases, gum disease is not painful, you may be feeling fine but, you  may find out more than you ever expected at your next exam.

GUM DISEASE DOES MORE THAN ENDANGER YOUR TEETH AND GUMS.

The eyes are said to be the windows to the soul. Growing research suggests your mouth maybe a window to much of what happens to the rest of your body.

How exactly does the mouth reveal and even influence overall health and well being? First, the condition of the teeth, tongue, and lips can determine how we talk, how we eat, what we eat, and how we go about our daily lives. There may be children at school who cannot concentrate on what the teacher is talking about because they have a nagging toothache. Maybe someone at work is not functioning as well as they could for the same reason.

Sally Cram DDS, a spokeswoman for the American Dental Association cites research that links gum disease with heart disease, diabetes, lung problems, and premature and low birth weight babies. In bulimic patients, you can see acid wearing away the inner surfaces of their teeth. You can also pick up osteoporosis in dental x-rays.

What goes wrong in the mouth?

Many people worry about cavities, but periodontal disease can be a big problem for people with poor oral hygiene. Gum disease is an infection of the tissues supporting the teeth.When plaque develops, bacteria irritates the gums and causes them to swell. In the beginning the disease is called gingivitis and only affect the gums. In the more advanced stages, the disease is known as periodontitis. The bacteria goes under the gum line, eventually attacking the tissues and bone around the teeth. This can lead to tooth loss.

Nearly 75% of American adults have some form of periodontal disease. The symptoms of gum disease can be so mild that some people dont’t know the have it. Warning signs include:

•  Gums that bleed easily
• Red,swollen, tender gums
• Gums that have pulled away from teeth
• Permanent teeth that are loose
• Persistent bad breath
• Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• Any change in the fit of partials dentures.

Most people want to keep their teeth for a lifetime, so if you have noticed any of these symptoms be sure to get them checked out.

 Here are several medical conditions that during your regular dental exam, Dr.Shlafer may see signs of a health problem.

• Oral Cancer:  Dr.Shlafer can screen for precancerous changes in the oral tissues. This type of early detection of oral cancer(using ViziLite Plus)  can result in successful treatment. Even better, oral cancer can be prevented if found and treated in the precancerous stages. About  25% of  people diagnosed with  oral cancer (the 6th most common cancer in the U.S.) have none of the traditional risk factors associated with the disease, such as the use of tobacco products.
• Pregnancy Complications: Infants born prematurely in the U.S. account for 6%-9% of all births, but 70% of all prenatal deaths. The National Institute of Health  reports  that as many as 18%  of the  250,00 premature low-weight infants born in this country each year may be the result of inflammatory gum disease. Studies show that pregnant women with severe gum disease have 7 times the risk of delivering a low-birthweight baby.
• Heart Disease:  Studies have shown that people with severe periodontal disease, are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease  than those without gum infection.  A study released  in February of 2005 shows that older adults who have higher proportions of periodontal disease causing bacteria in their mouths also tend to have thicker carotid arteries, a stronge predictor of stroke and heart attack.
• Diabetes: Many people with diabetes may not know they have it. Dr.Shlafer can play an important role in discovering oral symptoms and help with the management of it. Diabetics tend to get periodontal disease at a rate of 3-4 times higher than people without diabetes. Other oral problems diabetes can cause is  dry mouth, burning of mouth or tongue, a fungal infection, or a distinct breath odor.

It makes sense to safeguard your general health through  proper oral health care. Call us today with any health concerns you may have.

The condition of  your mouth mirrors the condition of your body as a whole. Dr.Shlafer may be the first health care provider to see the signs of a health problem.  If something  out of the ordinary is discovered, a follow up with your physician may result in early detection and treatment of a medical problem.

How can Dr. Shlafer find illnesses like heart disease and diabetes? He wouldn’t diagnose these illnesses, but may find oral symptoms that could relate to problems that may affect the rest of your body.

Shouldn’t I count on my physician to find any health problems? Yes, that is part of your strategy. Your oral health is an important part of your overall health and Dr.Shlafer is a key member of your personal health care team. The lips, tongue, gums, salivary glands and oral tissues can all warn of trouble with your general health and what Dr.Shlafer sees in your mouth may reveal the first signs of systemic disease, or a disease that affects your entire body.

Good dental health goes hand in hand with regular medical check ups.  Regular dental exams, just like your annual physical is an important part of  health care. Regular dental examinations allow Dr. Shlafer to keep your mouth in first class shape and watch for any changes or signs that may indicate problems elsewhere in your body. A dental exam also picks up on poor nutrition and hygiene, growth and developmental problems, as well as improper jaw alignment. Tomorrow more on medical conditions and their oral symptoms.

We take pride in our ability to offer our patients the most advanced dentistry in a warm and caring environment. We are here to help!

A growing body of research has linked gum disease to a variety of health problems that affect women. Because gum disease is a bacterial infection, it can enter the bloodstream and may be a factor in causing other health complications. Such as heart disease;stroke; diabetes; respiratory problems and pregnancy outcomes.

Women have special oral health requirements during unique phases of their lives. Different changes that women experience  throughout their lifetime may exaggerate the way gums react to plaque. Because gum disease is usually painless, many women may not even realize they have it until it reaches an advanced state. Your best defense is to brush and floss daily and see your dentist regularly.WomensOralHealthandOverallHealth.cvsp

A radiant smile will make you look younger A healthy mouth is a good indicator of over-all well being. We subconsciously connect a dull smile with age–enamel wears over time, darkening our teeth. A bright smile gives the impression of good health and youth.

Oral health habits are more that skin deep. We have all heard about the links oral health have to heart disease, premature birth and diabetes. Taking care of those pearly whites  starts with daily brushing, flossing and regular dental check ups. About 17% of adults admit to never flossing, and according to one report about 25% of adults ages 35-59 have  untreated tooth decay. Even if you feel you are our dental dream patient stay tuned for some surprising tips for a prettier, healthier smile.