Your Mouth-Body Connection is the Gateway to Your Health

Your mouth-body connection or the oral-systemic link is crucial for oral health and for overall health. Did you realise that dentists can often tell a lot about your general health, simply by examining your mouth? Sleep disorders like sleep apnoea can cause symptoms like an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. The first signs of serious disease including diabetes will frequently affect your gum health. In fact, having healthy gums is crucially important for overall health and here is why.

Strong and healthy gums fit snugly around the teeth, sealing out mouth bacteria. If your gums become infected and fragile because of gum disease, they start to bleed more frequently. These wounds allow mouth bacteria entry into the rest of your body via your bloodstream. Oral bacteria have been found to cause inflammation in other areas of the body, worsening existing health problems and increasing your risk of developing serious health issues.

It is vitally important to maintain healthy teeth, and gums and especially if you are at risk of or already have health problems. The good news is that we can help you! Here at Coastal Smiles, our dentist will carefully monitor your oral health during regular check-ups, and we can work with you to make sure you enjoy an optimal level of oral health, benefiting your smile and your general health.