Your oral health is more important than you might realize.

Your dental health and overall health are so interrelated that the former could give hints about how healthy the rest of your body is. Moreover, problems with your mouth can have an impact on the rest of your body. We will discuss more about the relationship between your oral health and your bodily health to help you protect yourself. 

Arden Dental Care in Sacramento, CA not only offers the best dental treatments for your specific needs but also crucial advice on how to keep your teeth healthy.

What Is the Relationship Between Oral Health and Overall Health?

Both your mouth and the rest of your body contain millions of bacteria, the majority of which are safe and even beneficial. On the other hand, the harmful bacteria are generally kept under control by the body's natural defenses and routine dental health care. 

Also, saliva washes away food and neutralizes bacteria-produced acids, contributing to the body's defense against microbial invasion or overgrowth that could lead to disease. 

However, if adequate oral hygiene is not practiced or saliva flow is reduced by certain medications, the harmful bacteria could multiply to the point where they might cause oral infections. These infections include tooth decay and gum disease. 

Oral bacteria and the inflammation linked with periodontitis — a severe form of gum disease – could play a role in some bodily disorders. On the other hand, certain disorders, such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS, can weaken the body's resistance to infection, exacerbating oral health concerns.

What Conditions Are Associated With Oral Health?

Your dental health might be involved in certain diseases and ailments, including:

Endocarditis

Endocarditis occurs when bacteria or other germs enter your bloodstream from another part of your body, such as your mouth, and adhere to damaged areas of your heart.

Cardiovascular Disease

Some evidence suggests that the inflammation and infections caused by oral bacteria may be linked to heart disease, clogged arteries, and stroke.

On the flip side, certain conditions might also impact your dental health, such as:

Diabetes

Diabetes weakens the body's immune system, placing the gums at risk. Diabetes appears to increase the frequency and severity of gum disease. 

HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS patients commonly have oral issues such as painful mucosal sores.

Osteoporosis

Periodontal bone loss and tooth loss may be linked to osteoporosis, which causes bones to become weak and brittle.

For the best dental care, contact Arden Dental Care at (916) 481-2001 or visit us at 1832 Avondale Ave Ste 1, Sacramento, CA 95825.