Healthy Mouth = Healthy Body

COLUMBUS, OH – While we know that maintaining good overall  health is not quite as simple as brushing and flossing and keeping your appointments with the dental hygienist, science keeps proving links between poor oral health and their effects upon your entire body.

Your teeth and gums can tell a lot about your overall health.  For example, cavities and gum disease may point to diabetes or heart disease.  Loose teeth can be a sign of osteoporosis.  We now know that more than 90% of systemic conditions such as heart disease can be linked to symptoms in your mouth.

Most patients see their dentist more often than they see their physician.  Your dentist looks for oral signs that might indicate other serious health issues, not just cavities.  For instance, bleeding gums, dry mouth and fungal infections are signals that you may need to be checked for diabetes.

“Diabetes is the one disease that we know can have a direct impact on infections in the bones and gums around the teeth,” according to Sally Cram, DDS, an adviser for the American Dental Association.

Another condition often spotted by dentists is Obstructive Sleep Apnea.  Patients with OSA often experience symptoms affecting the temporomandibular joint or specific changes to the tongue that an experienced dental sleep medicine practitioner can spot quite easily.  While diagnosis of sleep apnea requires a sleep study performed by a physician, once diagnosed cases of mild to moderate OSA can be easily managed using a special oral appliance created by your sleep medicine dentist.

Enjoy good overall health by taking care of your oral health and visiting your dentist regularly.  In the Columbus area contact us at 614-454-3488 for a consultation and to discuss how Dr. Mark Levy can help you achieve a healthy smile and a healthy life.