Your Mouth is a Window

What goes on in your mouth affects what happens all over your body.

Regular dentist visits can do more than keep your smile attractive — they can tell dentists a lot about your overall health, including whether or not you may be developing a disease like diabetes.  Evidence is continually being shown to support the belief that your mouth is a window into many health issues throughout your body. It has been proven that more than 75% of American adults suffer from various forms of periodontal (gum) disease and many don’t know it.

Your oral health can also act as an early detection window to so many other chronic illnesses. Here are a few points to consider.

Dentists detect disease.
The risks of developing diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease increase with age. Since symptoms of these conditions can manifest in the mouth, dentists may be key in diagnosing the diseases.

Acid reflux – your dentist may notice before you do.
Never have heartburn? That doesn't mean you don't have acid reflux. The good news is that if you have acid reflux, your dentist can detect symptoms of this disease during your regular oral examination.

A woman’s mouth can say a lot about osteoporosis.
If you're a woman, your dentist may be the first health professional to suspect you have osteoporosis — and refer you to a physician before the disease advances.

Anxiety disorders contribute to oral health problems.
People are anxious about going to the dentist for different reasons, including worrying about the effectiveness, feeling dentist is rushed, neglecting concerns, anticipation of pain, negative past experiences, or atmosphere.

Dental health care can help Alzheimer’s patients.
Proper dental care can maintain or increase an Alzheimer's patient's quality of life. Taking time to brush, floss, inspect his teeth and see his dentist on a regular basis should be top priorities.  The Washington Post recently published an article citing three studies that demonstrated a correlation between gum (periodontal) disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Your dentist should know what's in your medicine cabinet.
If you haven't talked to your dentist lately about what medications you're taking, you should. From over-the-counter antihistamines to prescribed blood pressure regulators, many medications can cause side effects that negatively affect oral health.

The heart and mouth connection: oral health and heart disease.
According to the CDC, heart disease is America’s number one killer. But did you know that heart disease and oral health are linked?

How many teeth are in that cigarette pack?
If you start smoking at age 18 and smoke one pack a day, you are likely to lose 4 or 5 teeth by the time you are 35 years old.

How vegetarians can ensure good oral health
While a vegetarian diet can have great overall health benefits, vegetarians need to be aware of how this lifestyle choice can affect their oral health. By eliminating certain food groups, vegetarians can risk missing out on some key nutrients that are essential for good oral health.

Oral cancer screenings
Your dentist can perform a screening for oral cancer, which is most frequently found on the tongue, the floor of the mouth, soft palate tissues in back of the tongue, lips, and gums. Early detection and treatment is essential.

Oral health gives clues about eating disorders.
More dentists are becoming the first line of defense when it comes to recognizing eating disorders in patients. A dentist may spot the warning signs of an eating disorder and be able to point parents in the right direction to get help.

Learn more: https://www.deltadentalins.com/oral_health/toc-overall.html