How Good Oral Hygiene Can Improve Your Overall Health and Wellness

Studies show that excellent oral hygiene is a key part of overall health and wellness. Good dental habits prevent tooth decay and cavities, and regular professional checkups can help detect early signs of gum disease, diabetes, and chronic heartburn.

Nisha Modi, DMD at Miracle Smile Dental in Aubrey, Texas, understands the importance of good oral health to your overall health and wellness. Dr. Modi is dedicated to providing the comprehensive family dentistry care you deserve.

Daily brushing and flossing are generally enough to keep harmful bacteria under control between checkups. But if you’re unable to keep bad bacteria at bay, oral problems can lead to more severe issues. Visiting Dr. Modi for regular cleanings allows for the detection of early signs of serious dental and non-dental conditions. 

Early disease detection

Dr. Modi and our skilled team at Miracle Smile Dental know what to look for to detect early warning signs during checkups and cleanings. Because your mouth is the doorway to your respiratory system and digestive tract, several systemic diseases begin with oral symptoms. 

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) indicates severe conditions such as Sjögren syndrome, anemia, leukemia, and more have oral symptoms as early warning signs. 

Thyroid disease

Adults with thyroid disease can experience chronic dry mouth. Dry mouth results from insufficient saliva, which is crucial for oral health and overall health.  

Saliva is your body’s way of neutralizing plaque acids, preventing debris and bacteria build up between teeth, and avoiding tooth decay and gum disease. Saliva also helps break down foods and fight fungi and bacteria before entering your digestive or respiratory tract, keeping you healthy. If you are experiencing dry mouth, it could be a sign to get checked for thyroid issues. 

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is characterized by chronic heartburn. If you’re experiencing GERD, you may notice oral symptoms like bad breath, a sore throat, or inflamed gums. It can result in enamel erosion as well, leaving your teeth unprotected from bacteria. GERD can also lead to chipping or cracking teeth, causing pain when eating or drinking. 

During your routine oral exam, Dr. Modi checks for enamel erosion, chips, and cracks which may indicate GERD or other gastrointestinal issues.

Diabetes

According to the AAFP, diabetes will affect around 44 million Americans over the next twenty years. Diabetic patients are more susceptible to gum disease and other oral health problems.

Diabetes lowers the body's infection resistance which increases the risk of oral health issues like gum disease. Gum disease can cause gingivitis, receding gums, and tooth loss. Because of this, it’s important to understand the underlying causes of your gum disease to stop it at its source. 

Fortunately, you can often avoid gum problems with regular dental checkups, brushing, and flossing.

Alzheimer’s 

Alzheimer's disease may be linked to good oral health. According to Harvard Medical School researchers, bacteria from your mouth can end up in your brain. Gum disease bacteria can invade the brains of Alzheimer's patients, causing nerve cells to die and causing memory loss. Luckily, proper dental care can prevent and even reverse gum disease. 

Good oral hygiene benefits your overall health and wellness in many ways. A dental checkup is the first step in keeping your mouth healthy. Call Dr. Modi at Miracle Smile Dental today to schedule a checkup or use our convenient online booking tool.