You know that your dentist is concerned about your oral hygiene since it impacts your teeth. But there is more to oral hygiene; it has far-reaching implications on your overall health. When a dentist encourages proper dental hygiene, they are encouraging better health for your entire body. Dr. Maham Siddiqui and his team at SPA Dental Group help residents of the Woodlands, TX maintain their smiles by practicing good oral hygiene.
When was your last dental check-up? Your dental visit can include a saliva test.The following is what your doctor can deduce from a saliva test.
1. Healthy Saliva
You know that saliva helps in food digestion. But do you know that it is also a key component of your body’s defense mechanism? Saliva contains antibacterial microbes for protection against pathogens trying to get into your body through the mouth. Your doctor will ascertain your health status by collecting a sample of your saliva. For instance, the presence of fragments of certain proteins from the bone in your saliva can indicate the risk of osteoporosis, while high cortisol levels in a newborn baby’s saliva are used to test for stress. Exposure to disease weakens your saliva and predisposes you to oral thrush.
2. Spreading Bacteria
Good oral hygiene is also critical in suppressing bacteria levels in your mouth. Saliva makes it hard for infectious material to spread to your throat, nose, and vital organs such as the lungs and heart. Your mouth might look clean, but lots of bacteria are ever-present, which requires saliva to be neutralized. Bacteria tend to build up when you fail to practice good oral hygiene practices. When your mouth becomes infected and you fail to seek medical attention, the bacteria can enter into your bloodstream and spread to the rest of your body.
3. An Early Warning System
Have you heard that your dentist will be the first physician to know if you have diabetes or turn HIV positive? The symptoms of many diseases first show in the mouth, which explains why your doctor performs thorough inspection every time you visit their clinic for a check-up. Other diseases which can be earlier detected by your dentist include:
a. Cardiovascular Disease
Gingivitis is a major contributing factor to the development of blood clots. Bacteria in the mouth can cause your body to be inflamed. Arterial atherosclerotic plaque develops due to inflammation and increases your risk of suffering stroke or a heart attack. Further, gum disease and tooth loss may lead to the development of plaque in the carotid artery.
b. Preterm Birth
Severe gum disease predisposes you to the risk of preterm delivery and low-weight birth. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, about 18% of preterm and low-weight births occur in the U.S. due to oral infections. Oral bacteria release toxins, carried through the mother’s bloodstream, into the placenta, interfering with fetal growth and development. Further, oral infections cause your body to produce false labor-triggers, which contributes to premature and low-weight births.
Resolve to practice good oral health practices at every time. Good oral hygiene has implications for your overall health at present and in the future. Visit your dentist to learn more about enhancing your oral hygiene.
