HealtH & Beauty By Julie Jacobs
Mind Your
Mouth
Healthy Teeth Help Promote Wellness
F
lossing, brushing and getting regular dental checkups are vital to good oral health to be sure, but they also play an important role in overall well-being. With studies linking oral decay and disease to an array of chronic and even life-threatening illnesses, an increasing number of health care professionals are now taking a more holistic approach to care and considering how all parts of the body—including the mouth—are inextricably tied to good health. It is a movement focused more on prevention of dental disease than simply treatment after the fact.
What We Know
a variety of bacteria live in the mouth. When dental care lapses, some of these micro-organisms are able to facilitate the buildup of plaque on the teeth and gums. Over time, this excessive plaque can lead to tooth problems and gum disease marked by tenderness and bleeding. Gingivitis is an early form of gum disease, and if left untreated, often advances into periodontitis, a serious gum infection that can erode bone, destroy tissue and create troublesome pockets between teeth. Harmful bacteria can then travel through these pockets into the bloodstream and ultimately cause or aggravate health concerns throughout the body. For years, research has uncovered connections between poor mouth health and diabetes, stroke, premature birth, HIV/ aIDS and heart disease. Some investigations, for example, have found the pres-
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VICINITY MAGAZINE
September 2013