Mouth-Body Connection

We tend of think of teeth as invincible—as if they have the strength to endure anything we put them through. But the fact is teeth are a living part of our bodies just like the rest of our organs. In the mouth alone, there are over 700 strains of bacteria that can occur. Without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that lead to tooth loss, gum disease and even conditions in the body.

Researchers have noted a well-established “oral-systemic link” between oral health and serious conditions such as diabetes, endocarditis and heart disease. This is because disease in the mouth can spread to the body through the bloodstream. Healthy teeth and gums act as a barrier to keep both the mouth and body free of infection.

It is especially important for elderly patients to maintain a regular oral health routine. The reason being we loose sensitivity in our gums as we age. This makes it difficult to detect when there are problems. Good homecare and consistent checkups can prevent or treat disease-causing infection.

Healthy gum tissue should never bleed. If you’ve been putting off dental work, we invite you to give our practice a try. We believe in providing excellent dental care and always put our patents’ comfort first. For more information about dental care or the oral-systemic link, please contact our office today at 785-472-3803.