Sometimes, during the course of our lives when we’re extremely busy or when our budgets are tight, we may have a tendency to put off certain personal maintenance tasks. Unfortunately, many people think that it’s perfectly fine to hold off on going to the dentist during those times in our lives. But what you may not realize is that oral health is not just about a nice-looking smile. In fact, your oral health can have a huge impact on your overall health.
Periodontal disease, also referred to as gum disease, occurs with plaque is allowed to build up under the gum line. Once this chronic condition starts, it can have a huge impact on other aspects of your overall health. Just consider the list of diseases associated with periodontal disease:
- Tooth loss – This one is pretty obvious. If gum disease is left untreated, it can lead to damaged bone tissue, which in turn can result in tooth loss. Once you begin to lose your teeth, it can impact your eating habits, your speech patterns, and even the shape of your face. All this is bad enough, but tooth loss also has another unseen impact – it can have a seriously negative impact on your self-esteem.
- Kidney disease – Recent studies indicate that people with severe gum disease are four times more likely to develop kidney disease than those with healthy gums.
- Heart disease and stroke – Doctors have long understood the relationship between severe gum disease that’s left untreated and the formation of heart disease, more specifically coronary arterial disease, which can also lead to stroke.
- Diabetes –Periodontal disease, which in itself is a chronic inflammatory condition, can also make you more susceptible to another chronic inflammatory disease, diabetes.
- Alzheimer’s disease – Doctors and researchers have also found another disturbing about severe periodontal disease – it can increase the likelihood that you’ll form Alzheimer’s disease.
Now for the good news – this doesn’t have to happen to you. There are plenty of actions that you can take that will help to prevent periodontal disease. Obviously, it’s important to brush and floss daily. You might also consider using an antimicrobial mouthwash on a regular basis. But just as important as developing good oral hygiene habits yourself are regular trips to your dentist for exams and professional cleanings. Remember, no matter how thorough and consistent you are with your own oral hygiene regimen, you still won’t be able to remove all the tartar and plaque that can lead to gum disease. In order to do that, you’ll need to have your teeth professionally cleaned.
So the next time you’re tempted to put off going to the dentist, think again! Your good oral health, as well as your good overall health, may depend on it!
If you’re needing a dental exam and teeth cleaning from us at Cedar Park Premier Dentistry, call today at (512) 782-0821.
