Making an appointment to see your NE Calgary Dentist may be the best thing you can do for your entire health – not just your dental health. It’s no secret that the health of the mouth reveals the overall health of the body – and many a disease and condition has been first discovered by your Calgary Dentist. Delaying or putting-off seeing your NE Calgary Dentist for a check-up exam is not only compromising your dental health – but your entire system.
More and more studies are making the correlation between the health of the mouth and the health of the body as a whole. We’ve discussed in past blogs the link between gum health and heart disease – but if you missed the previous post here’s a re-cap. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to have coronary artery disease (also called heart disease). And that other dental concerns such as, gum disease (gingivitis), dental decay, and missing teeth were as reliable of a predictor of heart disease as cholesterol levels. Epidemiologists go on to explain that patients who present with higher blood levels of certain disease causing bacteria in the mouth were more likely to have atherosclerosis of the carotoid artery – potentially leading to a stroke.
What’s the connection between gingivitis and heart disease and stroke? – well experts know that bacteria present in the mouth can enter the blood stream through the gums – and these bacteria stick to the fatty deposits in arteries, adding to the blockages. Inflamed gums may also be a sign that inflammation is occurring in other parts of the body – such as arteries. Regardless of which came first, the obstructed arteries, or the periodontal disease – both conditions play off one another, so it’s imperative to take control of your dental health – thereby improving your overall health.
NE Calgary Dentists at Discover Dental in Falconridge also explain that seeing your Calgary Dentist for regular check-ups can ensure that you are being checked for early signs of oral cancer, fungal infections like candidiasis, halitosis (bad breath), canker and cold sores (that may be linked to a suppressed immune system) and other potential health issues that may be present. And although this routine exam may be tempting to skip – making regular dental exams is just the first step in keeping both your dental health and complete health in tip-top shape.