Our body is very interconnected and what affects one area often has trickle down effects to another area. Did you know that your mouth can cause issues in your body? Or that some health issues within your body can cause issues in your mouth? 

Brushing, flossing, and going to your regular dental checkups are important for your oral health, but also for your overall health. 

Here are three reasons to make sure your oral health is always a priority:

1 – To have a healthy heart

There are two things that have been connected to infections in our mouths: endocarditis (an infection of the inner lining of the heart chamber or valve) and cardiovascular disease (heart disease, clogged arteries, stroke). In both cases, bacteria from an infection in the mouth can spread through the body (via the bloodstream) and attach itself in your heart. These are both serious conditions that should be avoided. 

2 – To keep your pre-existing conditions in check

There are some conditions, like diabetes, where the treatment can have effects on your mouth. For example, individuals with diabetes are more prone to gum disease and in turn gum disease can cause a harder time controlling blood sugar levels. In this scenario, staying on top of your dental health keeps your risk of gum disease low and your ability to control your sugars higher. 

Other diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer have medications that have shown to make oral health worse. Make sure you inform your dentist about any medications you are on to see if you need to make a change to your dental routines.

3 – To have a healthy pregnancy

If you are pregnant, it is incredibly important for you to continue to take care of your teeth. Your teeth and gums can become more sensitive during pregnancy which may not be an issue, but you need to continue your regular dental appointments to make sure. Severe gum infection has been linked directly to premature birth and low birth weight infants, both to which you want to avoid. 

There are a lot of things that can potentially happen when you ignore your oral health, but if you make it a priority your whole body will be better for it. Part of that is seeing your dentist at regular intervals. 

Call us today to set up your next appointment!