You might view the health of your teeth and gums as separate from overall health and body wellness. But did you know that poor oral health habits can contribute to heart problems and other serious health issues? On the other side of the coin, a compromised immune system or a chronic health problem can negatively affect teeth and gum issues.
We are practitioners of whole-health dentistry in Cherry Hill, NJ and take the bigger picture into account; we consider systemic health problems when taking the care of your teeth and gums.
If you haven’t balanced your health issues and overall physical wellness, consider the following:
Diabetes makes people more susceptible to gum disease. Diabetics are more prone to infections than those who do not have the condition, which makes it more likely for them to develop symptoms of periodontitis. Poor gum health also has a negative effect on how well dental work will hold up. Your gums are the foundation for healthy teeth and long-lasting dental treatment, which makes diabetes an important issue for whole-health dentistry.
Controlled vs. non-controlled diabetes – As you might have guessed from reading the information above, if you have diabetes, it’s important to establish good control and management of your condition to ensure both good physical and dental health. If your diabetes is well-managed, your dental work will last longer and be better able to support improved oral health.
Many common medications, such as decongestants, pain pills, and allergy drugs cause dry mouth; if you are not producing enough saliva, bacteria and plaque on your teeth are not being swept away, as they would be without this issue. Those who experience dry mouth as a side effect of certain medications are a higher risk for tooth decay.
Advanced gum disease and compromised immune systems produce adverse affects on your oral health. If your immune system has been weakened by chronic illness, your body’s ability to fight off infections is diminished. Coupled with lax and inadequate oral health habits, a weakened immune system makes you more prone to gum disease. Most of the time, you will not feel any pain and the disease gets worse because you may not realize anything is wrong.
So What Can You Do?
Looking after your total-body wellness is a great start in helping boost the success of your dental treatments and your overall oral health. If you have diabetes, it’s important to carefully manage your condition; if you are on medication that produces dry mouth, there are mouth washes and other oral health products that help stimulate saliva flow and prevent the formation of cavities. As always, an excellent oral health routine that consists of twice-daily brushing and flossing, as well as regular visits to the dentist are the best ways to prevent oral health problems.
If you have questions about your oral health and whole-body health, feel free to contact our office for a dental consultation by calling (856) 857-0400.