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Is a healthy mouth beneficial for overall health?
As it turns out, your dental health can have more of an impact on your overall wellness than you may have realized! In fact, researchers continue to discover aspects of overall health that are closely linked to oral health.
Think of the mouth as the gateway to the rest of your body; neglecting it can eventually have severe repercussions on overall health. We strongly encourage our San Jose patients to pay close attention to their oral care routine to avoid tooth decay, gum disease, and the numerous systemic conditions linked to poor dental health.
Systemic Diseases Connected to Poor Oral Health
The mouth can be the infection source that spurs on other health concerns around the body. Essentially, bacteria enter the mouth, make it’s way into the bloodstream, and wreak havoc in a number of ways. Some of the most common diseases linked to poor dental health include:
Cardiovascular Disease: Researchers believe that bacteria responsible for gum disease can enter the bloodstream and travel to the arteries. After making its way to the area, it causes atherosclerosis, which then causes plaque to develop in the walls of the arteries. With this decrease in blood flow, patients are significantly at risk of heart attack or stroke.
Alzheimer’s Disease: Like cardiovascular disease, bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream or nerve channels. This will then cause an immune response that is believed to contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Bacteria that cause gum inflammation can put patients at risk for other inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. According to the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, people with gum disease are four times more likely to have this type of arthritis.
Respiratory Infections: Dental problems like gum disease have also been linked to infections in the lungs. Researchers believe that patients breath in bacteria from infected gums and teeth, which will eventually lead to a respiratory infection.
Contact Dr. Cooper in San Jose
Proper dental care doesn’t just mean you’ll have a beautiful looking smile. It can also translate to better overall health! If you’re in need of dental treatment, contact our office today to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Cooper. We offer a variety of services ranging from a simple routine cleaning to restorative treatment with dental implants.
Make your health a priority and schedule your appointment at our San Jose office today!