Dental Care and Your Health: pt. I

May 10, 2012 - PRLog -- Dentists are commonly thought of as after-thoughts. In terms of health priority, dentists are typically much lower on the list of health professionals that are considered "must see". But by neglecting oral hygiene you may be putting yourself at a number of risks that you may not even realize. Dr. Stewart C Brody DDS (http://perfectsmilemaker.com/), who runs his own practice thinks it's important to raise awareness to the necessities of oral hygiene and cosmetics so that you realize what you're neglecting when you neglect your teeth.

 Health Problems Associated With Poor Oral Hygiene
 
  Research has shown that more than 90 percent of all systemic diseases (diseases involving many organs or the whole body) have oral manifestations, including swollen gums, mouth ulcers, dry mouth and excessive gum problems. Poor dental care can lead to cavities, gum disease and a whole lot of discomfort, but few people know that these problems can lead to more severe health issues such as serious infections in the mouth, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression, low self-esteem, sleeping disorders, behavioral/developmental problems in children, and digestion disorders.

   Smoking, which leads to a battery of health issues, can cause major problems in the mouth from teeth stains to cancer in lips, tongue and gums. However, oral cancer does not have to be linked to smoking. Not going to your dentist for regular cleanings can increase your risk of developing oral cancers. Going for regular cleanings also ensures that if cancer does develop your dentist will be able to catch it early and help you get the care you need.
 
  Heart disease and stroke have also been strongly linked to oral hygiene. When you don't go for regular cleanings you put extra stress on your body that can increase your risk for heart attacks and stroke.
 
  One of the hottest areas of health research right now is the link that's been established between diabetes and oral hygiene. According to the American Diabetes Association diabetics are at a greater risk for developing gum disorders, but it has also been shown that diabetes and oral health are a two way street. Developing gum disorders can wreck havoc on your blood sugar levels whether you have diabetes or not. Consistently high blood sugar levels will lead to the development of type II diabetes. Poor blood sugar control in people that already have diabetes can lead to more serious medical complications. So make sure you take care of your teeth and gums to help prevent this from occurring.

  A list of services your dentist provides can be found here: http://perfectsmilemaker.com/dental_services.htm. It's important to follow up with your dentist to make sure you go for regular check-ups to maintain healthy oral hygiene and to prevent any related health complications.