It was World Health Day on April 7th and so we wanted to look at the link between dental health and overall health and why you should improve your dental health this year.
Having good dental health is obviously a good idea to avoid toothache, minimise fillings and extractions, stop bad breath, discoloured teeth and much more. As we mentioned in our blog about preventative dentistry, we very much believe that prevention is better than cure and a proactive approach to dental care and good dental hygiene is the best way.
However, your dental health affects more than just your mouth and teeth. Did you know that gum disease may increase your risk of all kinds of other health complications, including stroke, diabetes and heart disease?
There has been research which indicates that the bacteria caused when your gums are inflamed and infected can enter your bloodstream and travel to your heart and cause hardening of your arteries. These same bacteria can also cause respiratory infections including pneumonia. It can also lead to diabetic complications, as it’s harder to control your blood sugar when you’re suffering from gum disease. There was even a suggested link between developing Alzheimer’s disease and the bacteria from gingivitis entering the brain, so this is serious stuff!
The thing to remember is that your body is a system and poor health in one area, such as the mouth, can effect lots of other areas, so you really need to take action before problems become serious. Simply by practicing proper dental care and visiting your dentist at least once a year you will go a long way to keeping your mouth and teeth and the rest of you healthy.
Look out for signs of common dental problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, tooth infection and acid erosion and visit your dentist as soon as you spot any of the tell-tale signs. Also cut down on sugary, acidic food and drinks and eat a balanced diet and your whole body will benefit.
Our experienced team of dentists in Marbella, are here to help you improve your dental health and work with the whole family to instigate healthy, positive habits towards dental hygiene. Take the first step to improve your dental health by booking an appointment today.
