Dentists have long recognized an oral health connection to overall health. The body’s systems are interrelated and affect one another. Long-term dental problems impact the immune system and other metabolic functions. It is the view of the American Dental Association that infections often enter the body through the mouth.
A long-term infection in the gum taxes the body’s immune system. Fluids and toxins in an abscess can leak, spreading traces through the blood and lymphatic systems. A toothache can deplete the person’s reserves, weakening them against other health problems. Due to simple proximity, infections can spread between the mouth, nose, ears and eyes.
There are a lot of organs crammed into the lower half of the human skull. The eyes, ears, nose and throat are all complex systems in very close proximity. There are direct channels between the eyes and nose, ears and eyes and of course the throat and the nose. An infection of any of these closely related systems can spread to all the rest.
Dealing specifically with the mouth and throat, infections of the teeth, gums and jawbone place strain on the immune system. This, in turn, weakens the body’s ability to resist other infections. Infections can also begin in the mouth. Then they migrate to elsewhere in the body. The tonsils play a major role in preventing mouth and throat infections spreading. People who have had their tonsils removed are at a much higher risk of oral infections spreading into the chest.
Complete health dentists try to define a baseline for oral health. This includes a checklist of health for the gums, teeth and jaw. It also considers daily habits and cosmetic appearance. The main indicators that a person can check themselves are firm gums and an absence of plaque and tartar. A dentist will also look for bleeding of the gums, loose teeth and signs of decay. Any of these can show other associated or underlying problems through the oral health connection.
The ADA considers that the oral health connection presents a clear correlation to other health issues. They have gone as far as calling the mouth the “portal” to the body for infections. Besides infections migrating from the mouth, poor dental health may be a symptom of other ailments. The North Carolina School of Dentistry has found that people with gum disease also present a much higher risk of heart disease.
Your complete health dentist can tell you more about the oral health connection. Consult with your dentist to learn more about maintaining good oral hygiene for better overall health. The relationship between healthy teeth and a healthy body is noted by the ADA and other dental associations. Your complete health dentist can tell you more and offer personalized advice on dental care. For good overall health, maintain good dental health and daily habits.
Request an appointment here: https://www.ismileteam.com or call iSmile Dental Team PC at (267) 515-6162 for an appointment in our Philadelphia office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Oral Health in Philadelphia, PA.
Wondering when you should see an emergency dentist? Read on to learn more. Regular dental care can prevent emergency dental treatment. Unfortunately, dental emergencies do happen unexpectedly, even if you brush and floss regularly. In such cases, it is a great idea to visit an emergency dentist immediately.Many people do not know whether their dental…
With dental veneers, a dentist can change the tooth’s size, color, and length by attaching these tiny porcelain pieces to its surface. Veneers are a popular solution for many cosmetic dental problems, including chipping, gaps, and discoloration. Although porcelain veneers are a sturdy and durable choice, they require proper maintenance to last long.Dental veneers will…
Patients who are scheduled for a root canal may wonder whether such a procedure is necessary. A root canal can save your natural tooth and prevent you from needing a replacement, such as a dental implant or denture. So, while you might not choose to get a root canal for fun, it is a useful…
A denture reline is a normal part of wearing dentures. Relines are needed to fix ill-fitting dentures. You experience bone loss when you wear dentures, and eventually, that will cause the dentures to fit poorly. The reline adjusts the shape of the dentures, so they fit once again. Most people need a reline every two…
Pain is often the first indicator that you may require a visit to the emergency…
With dental veneers, a dentist can change the tooth’s size, color, and length by attaching…
A root canal can save your natural tooth and prevent you from needing a replacement,…
Hard and soft denture relines are similar. In both cases, the dentist removes some of…
There are many myths regarding a wisdom tooth extraction that can confuse patients about what…
Tooth-colored dental fillings are the popular way to fill up cavities these days. Silver amalgam…
