Top Reasons to Maintain Good Oral Health With Help from Your Dentist

1. October 24, 2017 Top Reasons to Maintain Good Oral Health With Help from Your Dentist Maintaining good oral health doesn't only ensure that you have white teeth and a bright smile; having impeccable dental health also gives you a host of benefits related to your overall health. The link between a healthy mouth and a healthy body has been seen in many studies, suggesting that having good oral hygiene can directly affect one's health by reducing the risk of developing serious diseases. 1 | P a g e

2. Prevent Gum Disease Gum disease--an infection in the gum tissue and bone holding teeth in place--is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Generally, if it is diagnosed early by your dentist, it can be treated and the effects can still be reversed. Conversely, if it remains untreated or you receive treatment too late, it can be succeeded by a more serious gum disease. Regular dental checkups can help you detect it in its early stages and allow your dentist to prescribe ideal treatment. Prevent Oral Cancer During a regular checkup, your dentist inspects all soft tissues in your gums, lips, tongue, and cheeks for unusual changes or anything suspicious. Precancerous lesions, for example, may not be easily noticeable to you as they start as a small dark or white patch, but your dentist will be able to detect them. Early detection is important, as statistics show that only about 57% of patients diagnosed with oral cancer will be alive in five years. Lower Risk of Heart Disease Studies have also shown that gum disease is linked to heart attacks and strokes, going as far as associating the development of cardiovascular problems with chronic inflammation caused by gum disease. Periodontology associations have reported that people suffering from gum disease have twice the risk of having a fatal heart attack compared to those without gum disease. Prevent or Minimize Effects of Diabetes Diabetes has been linked to gum disease as well--people with diabetes are known to be more prone to it than others. What's more alarming, however, are studies suggesting that serious gum disease may also affect one's blood glucose control. Toxins produced by bacteria can affect 2 | P a g e

3. individual cells' carbohydrate metabolism, and in effect, prompt one's body to increase insulin resistance as well as blood glucose levels. Safer Pregnancy During pregnancy, women are at a risk of experiencing increased gingivitis. Consequently, gum disease has been linked to an increased chance of premature birth and low birth weight. If you're planning to have a child or are already pregnant, then you should take extra care in maintaining good oral health. Visit your dentist regularly as part of your prenatal care. Boost Confidence It may not seem important at first, but having a complete set of teeth and healthy gums can give you something to smile brightly about. Many people with missing teeth and those with gum disease may feel too self-conscious and not confident enough to smile at all. Having a great smile can make you feel good about yourself and may open many doors for you. It's important to develop good oral hygiene habits early on as these pay off eventually. Proper brushing and flossing, rinsing with mouthwash, and regularly visiting the dentist are all essential in having healthy teeth and gums and better overall health. About Family Dentist Maria Marzo: Dr. Maria Marzo is well-known among patients of Finger Lakes Family Dental for being a warm, caring, and professional dentist. She treats patients of all ages to the best of her abilities to ensure that they have healthy teeth and gums. Finger Lakes Family Dental serves the Corning, NY area and provides services such as pediatric dentistry, dental implants, Invisalign for teens and adults, and treatments for gum problems, among others. 3 | P a g e

4. Sources: How High-Alkaline Foods Benefit Your Teeth, colgate.com Gum disease linked to heart disease, reuters.com 5 Reasons Why Oral Care Matters, besthealthmag.ca 4 | P a g e