Friday, July 24, 2015

Dental Hygiene: The Health Connection!

There are many ways in which your oral health has an impact on your overall general health.  There are naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth.  Some of those bacteria, including strep and staph, are harmful, while other bacteria are essential for the balance of intestinal flora. The healthier your mouth is, the less likely it is that the harmful bacteria travel to other parts of your body to infect it and make you sick.  There is much more to good dental hygiene than brushing and flossing.

Historical Methods of Maintaining Oral Health

Ancient civilizations relied on natural remedies for maintaining oral health.  Around 250 AD, Egyptians used myrrh and other herbs as antiseptics for treating infected gums.  Two centuries later, the Nubian, drank beer to ease the pain of infected teeth.  That probably sounds crazy, but beer was effective because they used grains that were contaminated with the same bacteria that produce the antibiotic tetracycline.

Today's Challenge

In the past, tooth decay was more of an issue because there was no routine dental care, and problems that are routinely treated today went untreated.  Thanks to fluoridated water, and toothpastes containing fluoride, tooth decay is far less problematic that it was a century ago.  Gum disease has now replaced tooth decay as the most serious dental problem facing people today. According to the American Dental Association, a staggering 80 percent of Americans over the age of 65 suffer from some form of periodontal disease, which is a chronic inflammatory disease.

Researchers are now discovering that untreated inflammation in the mouth acts as a driving force for multiple chronic illnesses, including clogged arteries, heart attacks, arthritis, and even cancer. That inflammation is one of many hypotheses that may explain how chronic infections can trigger systemic diseases, and even intensify existing ones.  Bacterial overgrowth in the inflamed gum tissue can enter the bloodstream as you eat.

If you have any questions or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

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