Information provided by Zywave, Inc.
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Did you know that poor oral health can lead to many seemingly unrelated medical conditions? In fact, oral bacteria and oral disease have been linked to a variety of serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke and pregnancy complications.
The Importance of Oral Health
There is a strong relationship between your oral health and general health. For example:
- Tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs affect your overall and oral health.
- Dry mouth, or a lack of saliva, puts you at an increased risk for tooth decay.
- Oral pain resulting in an inability to eat properly can prevent you from getting the nutrition your body needs to stay healthy.
Periodontal Disease
Your mouth is connected to your body, and is oftentimes used to diagnose and treat a number of illnesses. For example:
- The advanced form of gum disease, called periodontitis, causes tooth loss. This is also sometimes associated with cardiovascular disease, stroke and bacterial pneumonia.
- Pregnant women with periodontitis are at an increased risk for delivering babies that are pre-term, have low birth weight or both.
- Diabetics are more likely to develop periodontitis, and more severe cases of it, than non-diabetics.
- People who smoke or drink alcohol are at increased risk for periodontitis and other conditions, such as oral cancer.
What This Means to You
Given the potential link between periodontitis and systemic health problems, preventing periodontitis may turn out to be a very important step in maintaining your overall health. In most cases, this can be accomplished with daily oral hygiene, like brushing and flossing, and regular professional care. Tell your dentist about changes in your oral health, including any recent illnesses or chronic conditions. Also provide an updated health history, including medication use - both prescription and over-the-counter. If you smoke, talk to your dentist about options for quitting smoking.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a legal opinion. Contact your legal representative for information specific to your needs.