When you hear people talk about living a healthy lifestyle, there’s often mention of exercising regularly, maintaining a balanced diet, and drinking lots of water. While all of these things are important, there’s something that’s often overlooked – the role dental hygiene plays in your overall health. As time goes on, more doctors are starting to understand this link and promote dental visits to their patients.
At Lakeshore Family Dentistry, we pride ourselves on being the place Where Healthy Begins. Taking care of your teeth, gums, and mouth is essential. Starting good habits early can help prevent a plethora of issues like gum disease, tooth decay, and bad breath, to name a few.
In a sense, your mouth is a window into what’s going on in the rest of your body. It may seem odd, but you can actually detect early signs and symptoms of systemic diseases like diabetes or AIDS just through noticing oral lesions, sores, or other problems. Your saliva also holds a great deal of information about your health picture. It can be used to test for illnesses, hormone imbalances, and even some markers for cancer.
If you neglect to practice proper dental hygiene habits, the consequences can become quite serious. Gum infection and disease can eventually cause tooth loss, but that’s not all. Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and preterm births have all been linked to oral infections. Additionally, your mouth can host bacteria, which can start to take over if you don’t brush and floss regularly.
Our intention with this article is not to scare you, but rather educate you on the vital role good dental hygiene plays in an overall healthy lifestyle. Our team of experienced Milwaukee dentists at Lakeshore Family Dentistry want to help keep you happy and healthy! Get in touch with us today to learn more about our dental services and set up an appointment.