Studies indicate that people who maintain excellent oral hygiene have fewer incidences of many illnesses. These people also tend to live longer and also enjoy a better quality of life. This underscores the need for increased awareness of the importance of looking after one’s teeth better.
At Atrium Family Dental, your New Lenox dental practice, one of the first signs that we look for in a patient who comes in for a regular checkup is for periodontal infection. This indicates the presence of bacteria in the mouth that can easily enter the bloodstream through cuts and cause a lot of problems to the person. The presence of this infection, known as PI, indicates a risk for heart disease as well as diabetes.
A person can have a healthy mouth only if he or she maintains proper oral hygiene and follows a good diet. Brushing and flossing teeth regularly keeps food particles away from the teeth and gums and also prevents the formation of plaque on the gums and teeth. Doctors warn that plaque has the tendency to break away from the teeth and find its way to the blood stream where it eventually clogs the arteries. This plaque is also rich in microorganisms that are believed to develop the conditions that lead to heart attacks.
The problems associated with not having a healthy mouth are most dramatic in elderly people. They are sometimes unable to eat their food properly because of missing or broken teeth or even pain in their jaws. This can lead to malnutrition and a general weakening of their body and reduction in immunity.
It has also been observed that people who are careful about cleaning their teeth also tend to look after their health better. The reverse is also true since people who do not practice proper oral hygiene are very careless about their health and this has severe negative consequences. Another important aspect to having a healthy mouth is staying away from all sorts of tobacco products. Abstaining from the consumption of tobacco also helps keep a person healthy. These people also tend to eat fewer sweets which are as harmful to the health as they are to the teeth. They also follow a diet that is rich in fiber from fruits and vegetables as well as in protein and calcium from dairy products.
Our team always advises patients to come in for regular dental checkups so that they can be treated for any oral problems. Their teeth can also be cleaned regularly and their mouths can be examined for any patches or lesions that indicate the onset of cancer. In fact, many patients come to our dental office in New Lenox just so that they can be checked for any dental problems which can then be arrested in their early stages. This is one of the best ways of ensuring that they have a healthy mouth as well as overall wellbeing and fitness. Contact us today for more information!