The mouth is one of the most important parts of the body. We use our mouths, gums, and teeth to speak, chew, swallow, and taste. They are an integral part of the face you present to the world and the tool you use to communicate with those around you. So it stands to reason that for those facts alone dental health (and a regularly scheduled dental visit) should be top of mind for everyone.

But many people don’t know that oral health is also an indicator of overall bodily health. Conditions like diabetes, osteoporosis, immune disorders, and certain cancers often manifest in symptoms such as gum disease, tooth loss, and dry mouth.

Perhaps even more importantly, problems in your mouth can negatively affect your state of wellness as a whole. The mouth is full of bacteria, and while many of these serve beneficial functions, they can also cause tooth decay and gum disease—particularly if you don’t practice proper oral hygiene. In addition, gum disease has been linked to serious health risks such as cardiovascular disease, endocarditis, and pneumonia.

In short, dental health is essential to the body’s overall state of wellbeing, both physical and mental.

A Healthy Smile Improves Confidence

dental health dentist visit
Maintain a regular dental visit schedule for a brilliant and healthy smile!

Of course, dental health isn’t only about disease prevention. A healthy mouth means you can smile without feeling self-conscious or worrying about your appearance. And the more you smile, the happier you’re likely to be, since smiling triggers those feel-good chemicals in your brain, reducing stress and improving mental health and immune system response.

A smile is one of the first things people notice, and an engaging smile can be a huge confidence booster. After all, smiling, friendly-looking people naturally draw others to them. You’ll appear more approachable and trustworthy, and feel more comfortable socializing as well. And since fresh breath is a natural byproduct of good oral hygiene, you can also look forward to more pleasant conversations!

Keeping your smile intact also helps to maintain the literal shape of your face. Missing teeth lead to bone loss around the jaw and sunken facial features, which age you prematurely. Yet another reason it’s so important to practice good oral hygiene and dental care.

But if you don’t have that perfect smile, remember it’s never too late to get one. Sterngold has a range of restorative dental products, including implants and dentures, which can help you regain that beautiful grin even after losing a tooth or two.

Your Regular Dental Visit and Good Oral Health Helps Prevent Dental Diseases

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that oral disease affects close to 3.5 billion people worldwide. If left unchecked, it can lead to serious health issues, some of which may be irreversible. While dental diseases are preventable if spotted soon enough, many go undetected in the early stages.

The most common dental health problem today is tooth decay. Also known as a cavity, tooth decay affects an estimated 2.3 billion people globally. Cavities occur when bacteria on the surface of the teeth turn sugar into acids, destroying the tooth’s calcium and minerals.

Gum (periodontal) diseases, caused by an accumulation of plaque and tartar on the teeth, are the second most widespread oral health condition, according to WHO. Starting with inflamed and bleeding gums, known as gingivitis, gum disease can develop into acute periodontitis if untreated. Acute periodontitis is characterized by shrinking gum tissue, bone damage, and even eventual tooth loss.

Tooth abscesses are another side-effect of cavities, gum disease, or a cracked tooth, resulting in an infected tooth and an accumulation of bacteria and pus. If not attended to promptly by a dentist, you could lose the tooth or even develop an infection in the surrounding bone. Dental visits are also helpful in diagnosing oral cancer, a condition that may not be picked up by a general medical practitioner.

Diseases such as diabetes, as well as smoking, medications that inhibit saliva flow, excessive alcohol intake, genetics, and hormonal changes can all increase susceptibility to oral health problems. For example, teenage girls are more prone to swollen gums and mouth sores. Fluctuating hormones can also sometimes lead to periodontal diseases during pregnancy, as well as burning mouth syndrome (BMS) post-menopause. Oral cancers, particularly of the lip, mouth, and oropharynx, are more prevalent in men and older people.

In order to maintain a healthy mouth, it’s important to understand its anatomy, and how to take care of the individual parts. In addition to regular dental checkups and appointments with a dental hygienist, this includes brushing teeth at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush, as well as flossing every day and using a mouthwash to help control plaque and keep your breath fresh.

Your Dental Visit Might Lead to Detection of Other Diseases

Time spent in the dentist’s chair isn’t only about oral health. Infections in the mouth can also be a clue to problems elsewhere in the body. These oral symptoms are often the first manifestations of conditions such as HIV, leukemia, and diabetes, and their detection can facilitate early diagnosis and improved outcomes.

dental visit disease detection
Common oral diseases are often diagnosed during routine dental visits.

Many of these common, but potentially serious conditions manifest strikingly particular oral symptoms early on. Here are some of those oral indicators:

  • Diabetes: tooth decay, serious periodontitis, dry mouth, cold sores, oral thrush, bad breath
  • Cancer of the head, neck, mouth or throat: ulcerations, red or white spots, lumps, abnormal swelling
  • Leukemia: swollen and bleeding gums, corrosion of teeth linked to reflux
  • Kidney disease: dry mouth, bad breath that smells like urine
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Celiac disease: dry mouth, bad breath, mouth ulcers, corroded tooth enamel
  • Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease: mouth ulcers
  • HIV: oral thrush, dry mouth, cold sores, gum disease, HPV-related warts
  • Autoimmune disease: mouth ulcers, difficulties swallowing, and changes in taste (lupus); swelling in the jaw (rheumatoid arthritis); dry mouth (Sjogren’s syndrome)
  • Osteoporosis: loose teeth and receding gums that present in the absence of gum disease
  • Anemia: pale gums and tongue

Optimal Dental Health Requires the Right Partner

Brush up on your dental health with a tip-top oral hygiene regimen and frequent visits to the dentist—every six months, or more often if recommended! Regular thorough examinations, followed by a scaling and polishing session with a dental hygienist, are vital to maintaining optimal oral health.

But dental health professionals also need a partner who’s invested in helping them achieve their goals. Pairing with the right manufacturer can help increase patient satisfaction, treatment effectiveness, and practice growth, and maximize competitiveness within the changing landscape of dental technology.