Dentist Tips: Overall Health Affects Your Oral Health, and Vice Versa

The word “oral” refers to anything that relates to the mouth. This includes your gums, tongue, jawbone, supporting tissues, and most of all, your teeth. That said, good oral health doesn’t only mean you have shiny white, perfectly aligned teeth—you likewise need to ensure that the rest of your mouth is well-taken care of as well. After all, oral health affects your entire body, so maintaining good oral health is essential to the maintenance of your total well-being.

Conversely speaking, your oral health condition may also be indicative of your body’s overall condition. Many diseases like diabetes, malnutrition, and cancer can cause oral health problems such as mouth sores, periodontitis, gingivitis, and even tooth loss. For people afflicted with disease and other health conditions, regular visits to a dentist in Guelph are a must. Here are other tips to keep in mind:

For People with Nutrition Problems

The biggest issue for those who have nutrition problems is that their body doesn’t likely have the nutrition needed to maintain good oral health. This could lead to chewing problems, and eventually, tooth loss. As such, eating the right foods must be practiced for optimum oral health, along with regular brushing and flossing.

For Smokers

Smoking causes your blood vessels to constrict, which can affect your gum’s ability to combat infections. Aside from that, smoking can negatively impact the ability of your cells to heal, which can complicate dental treatment and recovery. Avoiding smoking altogether is one of the most healthful things you can do for your body.

For People with Diabetes

Diabetes sufferers are highly prone to gum diseases like periodontitis and gingivitis. Dry mouth, usually a symptom of undetected diabetes, can lead to sores, tooth decay, infections, tooth loss, and stomach ulcers. A diabetes sufferer will need to control his blood sugar levels while ensuring he eats healthy and brushes and flosses regularly to prevent gum disease.

For People with Cancer

A person who’s being treated for cancer may develop sores in the gum area. In addition to close monitoring, gentle brushing and flossing are necessary to prevent sores from developing. If a sore is not healing or is getting worse, the patient should inform his doctor right away so he can be referred to the proper dentist for the appropriate treatment.

Quality Dental Care in Guelph

Trusted practices like Woolwich Dental Group are known for comprehensive dentistry while providing care and compassion for every patient they encounter. They make it a point to know the most relevant details about a patient to ensure total comfort and satisfaction.

  Sources: Oral Health: The Mouth-Body Connection, WebMD Risks to oral health and intervention, World Health Organization