Get Healthy with Healthy teeth

Taking care of dental health is just plain good sense.  There are several benefits – a great smile, fresh breath, and no days lost because of excruciating tooth pain.  However these are not the only benefits of good dental care.  

Daily brushing and flossing have more than cosmetic or oral health advantages. They can also contribute to general health.

Pregnancy
Periodontal disease or gum disease has been rapidly gaining the attention of obstetricians. It's becoming common these days for obstetricians to look into dental problems that a pregnant woman suffers, especially gingivitis, and refer these to a dentist for treatment. This is because periodontal disease has been associated as the cause of many pregnancy-related concerns. Two such health concerns are linked to low fetal birth weight and premature babies.  

There have been studies that rule out any connection between dental health and premature births.  One article that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2006 firmly denied any difference between pregnant women who had regular teeth cleaning, and those who didn’t have any regular dental clearings during their pregnancy. The incidence of pre term births wasn’t greater in women who had poor dental health, that study found.   However, other studies conducted in the past have found a definite link between women who suffer from gingivitis during pregnancy and pre term babies.  It must be noted here that some amount of gingivitis during pregnancy is natural.  You can expect slight bleeding in the gums during your pregnancy. However, heavy gum bleeding, swollen and inflamed gums are as much a health risk as they are a dental health issue.

In any case, taking care of dental health is always advisable because then the mom-to-be can eat a balanced diet, and this ensures that her baby gets the nourishment it needs.

Diabetes and Stroke
One study has linked gum disease to heart disease, diabetes and strokes. Person with a history of gum disease were found to, in the long run, suffer from these diseases.  In the case of diabetics, the link between high blood sugar levels and teeth decay is an accepted and well documented one.  However, few realize that the link is actually a vicious cycle.  Persons who suffer from diabetes are likely to suffer from decaying teeth, but the decayed teeth can also weaken the immune system and increase the high blood sugar levels too.  That’s why treating gum disease and taking care of dental health is so important for diabetics.

Besides, people with constant dental problems may have trouble eating and chewing food because of the constant tooth aches and pains.  This could lead to malnutrition as the person chooses to eat softer foods that are easy to swallow, and avoids eating important foods like meats and crunchy veggies that may require biting.

Whether you're a pregnant woman or diabetic, make regular check-up visits to your dentist. Even if you're neither, good dental health ensures that you will retain your teeth for longer, thereby enabling you to chew food properly and have a nutritious diet.