Oral health

Dentistry and Your Overall Health

Dental health affects your entire body. Your mouth is an access point to the rest of your body. This is why oral health is so important and why you need to get regular dental checkups, cleanings, and screenings. These actions improve your body’s defense system against attackers like fungus, bacteria, and viruses.

If attackers get past your body’s natural defenses, the result is periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease contributes to other diseases, like:

• Heart disease/Heart attacks
• Diabetes
• A higher risk of delivering premature, low birth-weight infants
• A potentially fatal heart disease called infective endocarditis
• Respiratory (breathing related) disease
• A weakened immune system that can slow healing of wounds and reduce a person’s response to hepatitis B and flu vaccines.
• Tooth loss

Gum disease is caused by existing bacteria in the mouth. Mucus, food particles, and this bacterial form the sticky, colorless plaque you hear about in toothpaste commercials. Plaque hardens over time into tarter. Brushing and flossing are effective against plaque, but not tarter. Professional dental cleanings are needed to remove tarter.

Bacteria build up in the form of plaque and tarter cause inflammation of the gums called gingivitis. If left untreated, the gingivitis will turn into periodontitis – which is extremely harmful to your dental health and the health of your entire body. The bacteria gets into the blood stream, damages the immune system, and can cause your teeth to become loose and need removal. When bacteria enters your blood stream, it has access to your entire body and can cause inflammation, infection, and disease in internal organs.

Unlike many diseases, gum disease progresses silently – often with no pain. Many people who have periodontal (gum) disease do not realize it until their dentist diagnoses the problem. At the age of 35, three of every four people have gum disease.

Gum disease can be arrested and controlled if caught early. Dr. Robert Holt, a periodontist with the Florida Institute for Periodontics & Dental Implants, states: “In the past, periodontal disease was just considered a mouth infection. But it's not just a mouth infection anymore. Researchers have discovered correlations between periodontal disease and chronic medical conditions. Now, more than ever, people have solid reasons for taking care of their teeth and gums.”

Oral Disease Prevention

There are other dental problems beyond gum disease. A routine dental examination performed at Adam's Farm Dental every six months will help you catch any problems and prevent dangerous health risks. Oral cancer, tooth decay, bone disease and more are all checked for during your appointment.

Steven Offenbacher, DDS, PhD. states: “Dentists and periodontists are concerned about more than saving your teeth – they’re looking at how oral health fits into your overall well-being.”

Dental exams can help your dentist determine whether you have other health problems which need treatment. For example, a routine dental exam can show gum abscesses, swelling, and bone loss. All of these are signs of diabetes. With almost two million new cases of diabetes in America identified yearly, you can see the importance in regular examination.

Additionally, there are instances in which pain in the area of the mouth may show that a health issue is imminent. A sore and painful jaw is a warning signal to older people that a heart attack is possible. Bad breath and bleeding gums are often indicators of Type 2 diabetes.

Treatment for Periodontal Disease

Gum disease can be treated and, in many cases, completely resolved. At Adam's Farm Dental, our team of expert dentists and hygienists offer a variety of effective treatments. If you are experiencing gum disease, make an appointment with our team. We will find the treatment option that is right for you.

Warning Signs of Gum Disease

If you experience any of these signs or symptoms, you should contact us right away:

• Gums that bleed while brushing your teeth
• Gums that are red, swollen, or tender
• Pus discharging when gums are pressed
• Loose permanent teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Dentures which don’t seem to fit right anymore

All of these symptoms indicate gum disease. This problem is easy to treat when caught early, so don’t wait!

Call us today at our Greensboro, North Carolina office: 336-308-4606.