The Mouth – A Window Into Our General Health

Studies are increasingly linking poor oral health with a number of serious medical conditions.
We use our mouth for essential functions, such as eating and drinking, as well as communicating with those around us. Unfortunately, despite its obvious importance, some people probably take better care of their fingernails and hair than they do their teeth and gums.
In addition to the obvious advantages of having healthy teeth, such as the avoidance of toothache, studies are increasingly indicating that it may not just be our teeth and gums that suffer if we practice poor oral health care.
Protect the gums
No one wants to lose a tooth, but once a tooth has deteriorated to the point that it needs to be extracted, that is the end of the matter. The same cannot be said our our gums. Our gums are linked to the rest of our body and, from studies, it seems that they may provide an entry point for bacteria and infections that can threaten our general well being.
There are many articles available which discuss the ‘hows and whys’ surrounding how poor oral health can lead to illnesses, but, for the purposes of this blog, these are some of the more serious health conditions that have been mentioned.
● Heart disease
● Strokes
● Diabetes
● Arthritis
● Alzheimer’s
● Respiratory diseases
This is not an exhaustive list, but, as you can see, the implications of poor oral care are potentially very serious indeed, and could even prove to be fatal.
Not all doom and gloom
For anyone who feels worried about this, the good news is that keeping your mouth in a healthy condition is not all that difficult. It simply requires a little education, along with regular, diligent care.
Providing that you brush your teeth well and correctly, and use dental floss, you are on your way to ensuring that you have a healthy mouth. We would recommend that our patients also see the dentist and hygienist at our Bedford clinic every six months or so. They will be able to advise if you need to change or improve your cleaning regimen, and will also provide a scale and polish which removes plaque, the hardened form of bacteria, from your teeth and gums.
Providing that you look after your oral health well, whilst we can’t guarantee that you will avoid other medical issues, you will have done as much as you can to prevent them from occurring because of the way that you look after your teeth and gums.
To see the hygienist or dentist at The Dental Centre Bedford, or for other appointments, please call our reception team on 01234 819868.