Seven Diseases that Affect Your Mouth
During a routine dental exam, your dentist can help detect more than 120 health conditions, making regular dental visits essential to having good oral and overall health. Because your oral health is closely connected to your overall health, certain diseases might leave your teeth and gums with unexpected symptoms. Take a look at some of the effects common systemic diseases may have on your mouth. Diabetes The primary condition associated with diabetes is gum disease or periodontitis. Roughly a third of all those with diabetes have a severe form of gum disease 1 that can damage supporting bone structures around teeth, increasing the likelihood of loose teeth or tooth loss. Diabetes may also lead to oral thrush and dry mouth.2 Oral thrush is a yeast infection in the mouth that causes small white bumps to develop,3 and dry mouth is a lack of saliva that can lead to bad breath, tooth […]
How nutrition benefits oral health
While many people know that avoiding sugar is good for teeth, many do not realize that getting the right nutrients and vitamins is also essential for good oral health. Here are five nutrients that benefit both your smile and body as well as ways to incorporate them into your and your family’s diet. Calcium Calcium is critical to the structure of teeth and bones. Calcium is also the most abundant mineral in the body and required by the body’s vascular and muscular systems to function properly. When you do not consume enough calcium, your body uses the calcium stored in your teeth and bones, weakening their structure.1 Getting enough calcium in your diet keeps teeth and bones strong. Healthy foods rich in calcium include low-fat milk, cheese, yogurt, broccoli and Chinese cabbage. Magnesium Magnesium is another nutrient used in the development of strong teeth and bones. It helps the body […]
The Link Between Oral and Overall Health
You may want to think twice before postponing your next dental visit. During a dental check-up, your dentist does more than simply clean your teeth and check for cavities. During a routine dental exam, your dentist can spot specific signs and symptoms of more than 120 diseases that may suggest serious health issues. Below are health conditions with oral signs and symptoms that can be identified through a dental exam: Anemia: A mouth with pale gums may lead a dentist to believe a patient has anemia, a condition where the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells circulating throughout its system. Another indicator is a tongue that has lost its normal bumpy texture and now appears smooth. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia: According to the American Dental Association, dentists may be the first health professionals to notice signs and symptoms of eating disorders. Frequent vomiting and nutrient deficiencies associated […]
