The Importance of Good Oral Health

It is well understood that poor oral hygiene and infrequent visits to the dentist can put you at a higher risk for developing oral diseases such as tooth decay and gum disease, but what about the rest of your body?  The mouth is often thought of a separate entity, but in reality it is the entryway to the rest of your body.  Conditions that arise in your mouth can affect your body as a whole, and conditions that arise elsewhere in the body can affect or manifest themselves in your mouth.  Diabetics, for example, are at a higher risk for developing gum disease as high blood sugar levels can lead to inflammation.  With diabetes, it is a two-way street in which diabetes can affect your gum health, and your gum health can affect your diabetes.  Healthy gums have actually been shown to help with blood sugar control and decrease the progression of the disease.  Poor oral health has also been linked to heart problems.

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