Health and Wellness | How Does Oral Health Affect Overall Health?

What is the most common point of entry into your body? Of course, it’s your mouth! Due to this, your oral health tends to play an important role in your overall health. After all, think about all those germs and bacteria that want to enter your body while you enjoy a meal or snack. 

What is the best way to make sure that your oral health doesn’t negatively affect your overall health?

The best defense against bad oral health is to brush, floss, use mouthwash, and visit the dentist as directed. Additionally, it is important to use proper techniques when doing your dental hygiene, or you will not properly take care of your oral health. In addition to your routine maintenance and dental visits, if you start to develop gum disease, it is imperative to seek treatment immediately. After gum disease has developed, your routine cleanings will no longer be enough to remove the plaque, tartar, bacteria, and germs from your mouth—you will actually require a deep cleaning. 

If you keep up with our blog, or have good knowledge of gum disease, you know how many other health issues can stem from gum disease. A Staten Island University Hospital doctor, Dr. Ratcliffe, states that:

“There’s a relationship between the bacteria—and the inflammation that bacteria causes in the mouth—and a lot of other diseases.”

This is not news to us; it just reaffirms what we always discuss when talking about why gum disease is so serious. Below, we list several of the complications that can be a result of gum disease.

• Arthritis (RA)
• Complication in labor (premature birth)
• Osteoporosis
• Respiratory disease
• Parkinson’s disease 
• And more… 

Are you looking for periodontal care in Jackson, MS?

Dr. Parkes and Dr. Stewart at Periodontal Associates of Jackson in Jackson, MS are always welcoming new patients to their office who are serious about oral health. If you would like to schedule an appointment contact us today.