Painting a Complete Portrait of Health:
you were to paint a picture of “health,” it would include many colors. Proper exercise, plenty of fruits and vegetables, quality sleep, the ability to handle stress well, and a strong support system of family and friends are each important to our physical and mental health. Each is a distinct “color,” but, like the brushstrokes of a painting, they are each so intertwined in our overall health that they are impossible to separate. No one color is better than the others, but without even one the picture loses its vibrancy.
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Photo by The Portrait Gallery
How Oral Health Affects the Body in Surprising Ways – Kingery & Kingery By Meridith Whitaker
The dentists and staff at Kingery & Kingery believe that, when considering each of the factors that affect our overall health, dental hygiene should not be overlooked. A cavity-free mouth with pink gums and fresh breath may be a healthy mouth, but it could be a sign of a healthy body as well. Keeping watch on your gums, teeth and jaws can benefit your overall bodily health in several surprising ways. Sleep Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), characterized by repeated episodes of blockage of the upper airway, not only interferes with sound sleep, but can also reduce the flow of oxygen to vital organs and cause irregular heart rhythms. Kingery & Kingery offers a dental appliance called SomnoDent that moves the lower jaw slightly forward to tighten the soft tissue and muscles of the upper airway, which prevents obstruction while you sleep. Heart Health Studies have shown that, over time, periodontal (gum) disease may increase the risk for heart disease and stroke. There are a couple of possible explanations for this link. First, the bacteria that cause periodontal disease can release toxins into, or travel through, the bloodstream and contribute to the formation of fatty plaques in the arteries. These plaque deposits can lead to serious problems, such as blood clots, which can block blood flow. In addition, these bacteria cause the liver to make high levels of certain proteins, causing inflammation of the blood vessels—a known contributor to heart disease and stroke. By scheduling regular dental visits, you can prevent or catch the early signs of periodontal disease. Cancer Oral cancer is growing at an alarming rate, and the five-year mortality rate with this type of cancer is higher than that of both cervical and prostate cancers. With early detection, however, the cure rates are in the range of 80–90%. Because the signs and symptoms of oral cancer are often missed by the naked eye, it is important to have this screening done by a professional. At Kingery & Kingery, all patients are screened for oral cancer once a year during their regular cleaning visit. Through the use of cutting-edge technology, they can visualize any dangerous changes in cells of the mouth, throat, tongue, or tonsils and identify cancer early—before it spreads. Shown here are three ways that oral health impacts bodily health; certainly there are many more. A portrait of overall health would be incomplete without the truly exceptional dental care offered by the doctors and staff of Kingery & Kingery. Their care and expertise, in combination with all of the other lifestyle choices that color our lives, will help ensure a vibrant future for you and your family. Kingery & Kingery is amalgam-free and uses only composite (tooth-colored) filling material. They offer Teen Invisalign, Six-Month Smiles, cosmetic dentistry, and much more. For more information, call 336-766-0511 or visit www.kingerysmiles.com.
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