Protecting your whole-body health one dental visit at a time
Every time you visit Timeless Dentistry in Forest Hills, New York, you are doing your body and mouth a tremendous favor. The state or condition of your teeth, gums, and other oral structures can have a profound impact on your overall wellness.
How does my oral health impact the “rest of me”?
Your mouth does not exist in isolation. The condition of the oral cavity and the functions it supports can either enhance or compromise your overall health. The health and functioning of the teeth, gums, jaw joints, and more can be either a protective factor that prevents the development of other conditions or a risk factor for conditions that, at first blush, appear to have nothing to do with the mouth.
Is it true that gum disease can cause heart disease?
Think of it this way: Bacteria and inflammation that may develop in the mouth can pass through unhealthy gums to travel through the bloodstream. For this reason, conditions like periodontal disease have been implicated in the development of many serious, systemic diseases. Pathogens can travel to distant organs and other bodily systems through the bloodstream.
For example, gum disease-causing bacteria are present in the plaque found in the arteries of patients with heart disease. One study showed that when the blood clots that cause heart attacks are removed from the cardiac vessels, a majority of those clots contain oral disease-causing bacteria. World-renowned cardiologists Chip Bale and Amy Doneen have demonstrated again and again that the most common cause of heart disease is systemic inflammation, and that periodontal disease is the most potent driver of this inflammation in most people (https://baledoneen.com/root-causes/oral-systemic-health-connection/).
Additionally, how your body responds to the inflammation associated with gum disease can set off a cascade of effects, including vascular damage to the brain, heart, and uterus. These are just a few examples of how consistently good and proactive oral care can have positive effects that extend far beyond the mouth and lead to a beautiful, healthy smile.
Uncontrolled oral disease has been associated with heart disease, strokes, premature births, Alzheimer’s disease, pancreatic and other cancers. And this isn’t the only cancer that we’re focused on. That’s why every one of our patients gets a thorough and potentially life-saving screening exam for mouth, head, and neck cancer at every checkup, and a complete exam of gum health regularly, at least once per year.
How does the function of my teeth and gums affect my whole-body wellness?
We rely on our teeth and other oral structures for numerous essential functions. We take these functions for granted until something goes wrong with them. When your oral health falters:
- Chewing food can be painful and difficult
- How you eat can also affect your ability to digest food properly
- Nutritional deficiencies can arise and build on these problems due to an inability to enjoy a variety of nutritious foods
- You might restrict yourself to only a few soft foods that may not be as beneficial as a crunchy apple, carrot, or fresh greens
- Ignoring tooth issues that cause constant pain can disrupt the restorative sleep essential for proper healing, productivity, alertness, and safe operation of vehicles and machinery
- Broken, damaged, and missing teeth can affect how we feel about our appearance and how we pronounce words
- We may feel self-conscious or embarrassed about these changes in our appearance and speech
- These anxieties can contribute to other problems with our mouths, such as grinding our teeth at night
- This condition, bruxism, may “stress” the jaw joints and surrounding muscles and cause additional, wide-ranging pain and jaw stiffness
As you can see, the connections between oral health and systemic health are tremendously varied and undeniable.
How can I maintain my oral health to stay healthy?
The best thing you can do for yourself is to maintain regular dental visits at Timeless Dentistry. During these visits, we check for problems that need treatment. These problems can easily go unnoticed, as dental issues are often asymptomatic in the early stages. We also take the time to evaluate all the factors that could contribute to future dental problems. This includes identifying specific diseases that increase the risk of gum disease and assessing brushing techniques and nutritional habits. We show them to you, so you understand the skills and habits you need to prevent problems caused by these factors. We also perform cleanings to remove harmful substances you can’t remove at home, and we can discuss additional preventive services to keep your teeth strong and your mouth healthy.
If you are worried about a change in your mouth and/or it’s been over six months since you visited a dentist, call (718) 310-3866 to schedule your appointment at our Forest Hills, NY office today.
Timeless Dentistry is a remarkable practice lead by Dr Paul Springs. Everyone in the practice is warm, friendly and welcoming. I’ve never experienced a practice that’s committed to providing a total dental experience that focuses on an accurate professional diagnosis, personalized care and concern for your comfort & satisfaction. I needed and received implants. Like most I was concerned about pain (which was minimal to nonexistent) and what was the process. Everything was clearly explained and what resulted was a set of beautiful “new teeth” and a smile that has restored my confidence and ability to enjoy the foods my old teeth couldn’t have handled! I can’t stop singing Dr. Paul and his staff’s praises —they are totally AWESOME!! I would highly recommend them if you’re in need of a dental practice. 
