HOW YOUR MOUTH AFFECTS YOUR WHOLE BODY A Healthier You
Our primary concern at Exceptional Smiles is ensuring your teeth and gums stay healthy and strong. But we care about our patients’ health from head to toe and want to see you have the longest, happiest life possible. May is High Blood Pressure Education Month and National Stroke Awareness Month. These are both serious conditions that affect millions of Americans. And believe it or not, they’re linked to the health of your pearly whites. Nearly half of U.S. adults have hypertension (high blood pressure), and according to the American Heart Association, those with healthy gums generally respond better to treatment. Gum disease is also linked to stroke, which causes one death every four minutes. Both high blood pressure and stroke are “oral-systemic conditions.” That means what happens in your mouth affects the rest of your body. You may have heard that your oral health impacts your cardiovascular health, and that’s true. What’s good for your mouth is good for your heart. Less well-known but equally worrying is that researchers have linked gum disease to high blood sugar and the condition of diabetes. There are still more conditions for which poor oral health appears as a predictor, including Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and even some cancers.
Experts say more research is needed to understand how this relationship works. Some have theorized that chronic oral inflammation affects our bodies’ immune responses. Others suggest that the mouth can harbor pathogenic bacteria that later make their way to our bloodstream. Other mechanisms that scientists have not yet considered may be at play, and there’s no proof that poor oral health causes any of these diseases. But we do know there’s no downside to taking better care of your mouth, and by doing so, you may prevent potentially disabling or fatal conditions down the road. Now that you know, what do you do? If you don’t already, brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once. A healthy diet will benefit your teeth and the rest of your body, and if you smoke, quitting will do the same. Finally, share your other health conditions with your dentist, seek prompt dental treatment for new issues, and don’t miss your annual exams. If you’re overdue, don’t wait any longer. Call us at (440) 483-1003 to schedule your next appointment!
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING “Exceptional Smiles is always exceptional. The staff is friendly and professional — today I interacted with Taylor, Janae, and Dr. Schermer, and they were all great — guiding me through what they were doing and how they were doing it every step of the way.” -Joey “Very friendly staff. I have hated going to the dentist since I was a kid, but this experience is totally different. I still don’t look forward to going, but I know when I go, they will do everything they can to make me comfortable and fix my teeth.” -Daniel
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(440) 483-1003
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