
A person who has just experienced a heart attack would not generally equate that with their dental health. However, recent findings have discovered a dental health and physical health link. In fact, some diseases are detected by Dentists in Bee Cave even before a trip to the doctor. One example is measles, which is being diagnosed more and more because of the failure of parents to vaccinate children. This illness may actually manifest in the mouth prior to any physical symptoms. One of the symptoms is spots known as Koplic spots appearing in the mouth. These often appear before the wide known symptoms such as fever, malaise, and, of course, the rash.
In respect to heart attacks, it has been noted that as many as ninety-one percent of patients diagnosed with heart disease also have periodontitis (gum disease). Both conditions have similar risk factors such as excess weight, smoking and an unhealthy diet. Many doctors and dentists even think that periodontitis plays a crucial role in the risk of heart disease.
The strongest evidence linking dental health and physical health is the connection between periodontitis and diabetes. Studies show that inflammation that exists in the mouth appears to weaken the ability to control a persons blood sugar by compromising its ability to use insulin in the body. It also can work the opposite way: high blood sugar can leave the body open for infection, which would include infection of the gums. On a positive note, managing one of these conditions does help to bring the other under control.
A condition that is currently being tested for a link with oral health is that between gum disease and Osteoporosis. The two have an important factor in common: bone loss. One train of thought is that women who have osteoporosis also have a higher incidence of gum disease than those who do not. On the other side are those who say that the bone loss is in different parts of the body, so do not favor the link between the two. Others state that periodontitis affects men more frequently while osteoporosis is more prevalent among women. Hopefully, further research will be enlightening in respect to this topic.
Other connections are being researched as well, such as smoking and rheumatoid arthritis. Thus far, there is strong supporting evidence that there is a link between dental and physical health, especially with certain conditions. So what can a person do to reduce the risk of our oral health causing problems regarding our physical health? Obviously, practicing great oral health habits is necessary to keep your mouth healthy. This should include brushing and flossing at least twice a day. Regular visits to your dentist for checkups and cleanings will go a long way in preventing or catching problems at an early stage. If you know that you are suffering from periodontitis, have it taken care of as promptly as possible, thereby breaking that link.