Why a Visit to Your Dentist Has Bigger Implications

The next time that you have any hesitation about going to the dentist, stop for a moment and think about the benefits. You will of course be familiar with the specific dental benefits (including a healthier mouth, fewer cavities and a nice smile) but what about the rest of your body? What do you need to think about?

The Bigger Picture

The medical and scientific professions have been able to link good dental health practices to specific benefits for rest of your body. You may not think in terms of your other, vital organs when it comes to dental care, but when you do consider these other elements, a trip to the dentist becomes a necessity and not something for consideration.

Diabetes

If you're unfortunate to be one of the millions of people who are diabetic, then this condition will make you more susceptible to developing infections in your mouth, potentially resulting in periodontal disease. However, with regular dental care, you stand a much better chance of avoiding this.

Bone Loss

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become brittle and weak. Some people think that if you allow tooth decay and gum disease to progress, that this is then linked to periodontal bone issues and osteoporosis as well.

Inflammation

If oral bacteria is allowed to get out of control, this can lead to infections or inflammation at the cellular level around the rest of the body. Inflammation is in turn linked to the development of clogged arteries, which can lead to stroke or heart disease.

During Pregnancy

If you're pregnant, it is even more important to schedule regular visits to your dentist. If you have an oral infection or abscess that goes untreated, it can lead to toxins circulating in your body. These toxins can potentially stunt the development and growth of the baby. Remember that you will have constantly changing hormonal levels, and this in turn can make your body less able to resist the onset of illness or disease.

It's possible that these fluctuating hormones can actually cause an increase in the number of bacteria present in the mouth and therefore an increased risk of inflammation. In this case, therefore, it's a double-edged sword and makes it even more important for you to visit the dentist regularly when you're expecting.

Make the Appointment

The good news is that regular visits to the dentist not only keep your oral health in check, but they can also help to stave off the development of other serious problems later in life.


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