Most people understand how important it is to floss and brush regularly to keep their teeth and gums healthy and strong. They may not understand, though, that how well you take care of your mouth can affect the rest of your body. Several recent studies have revealed some surprising ways in which regularly visiting a dentist in Kona and daily preventative oral care can help keep other parts of your body healthy and feeling great.
One of the most surprising results found by researchers is the link between periodontal diseases and heart problems. In fact, research suggests that people with infections of the gums or mouth are two times more likely to have coronary artery disease. This may be caused by bacteria of the mouth entering the bloodstream and infecting the heart. This should be reason enough for people to visit a dentist in Kona regularly!
It may be especially important for women to brush and floss and visit a dentist in Kona for care. Some studies have shown a link between periodontal disease and premature birth in pregnant women. Researchers found that women who used a special antimicrobial mouthwash twice a day were significantly less likely to deliver early. Periodontal diseases may also increase the amount of time it takes a woman to conceive. Women with gum disease took as much as two months longer to get pregnant than other women without gum disease.
Other serious health effects have also been noted. There may even be a link between tooth loss and an increased risk of dementia. The results are preliminary, but it adds more weight to the idea that poor oral hygiene can have a serious negative effect on the rest of the body.
Obviously, the effects of oral hygiene can have huge repercussions for overall health and wellbeing. Maintain a clean, healthy mouth by brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Visit a dentist in Kona at least twice a year for a professional cleaning and exam. Don’t delay dealing with any tooth or gum inflammation or pain until the problem has become more severe or difficult to treat. By taking the time to take care of your mouth you may, in fact, being doing your whole body a favor.
Protect your dental health by visiting a dentist in Kona today. Keep your smile looking bright and clean while staying healthy by speaking with a dentist in Kona about more ways to prevent and treat periodontal diseases. Contact Yokoyama Carter S DDS.
