What Your Tongue Can Reveal About Your Health
You probably don’t think much about your tongue, but how it looks can reveal a lot about your health. Learn more about the connection here.
Science has established a link between poor oral hygiene or gum disease and systemic illness. For teeth to benefit from proper brushing and flossing, the surfaces of the teeth must be reachable. Teeth that overlap prevent thorough cleaning and increase the risk of many dental issues.
Because the areas where teeth are crowded are difficult, if not impossible, to reach with a toothbrush or floss, plaque, tarter, and harmful bacteria are allowed to accumulate, increasing the risk of cavities and periodontal (gum) disease.
Those who wear braces are required to maintain a vigilant oral hygiene routine. Similarly, children and adults with crowded teeth must take special care when cleaning their teeth. Otherwise, the abundance of harmful bacteria can threaten the hard and soft tissues of the mouth.
Teeth grinding (bruxism) and TMJ are more likely to occur when the teeth or jaw is misaligned and simple preventive and curative dental procedures become more complex.
Several illnesses have an established relationship with your oral health. Preliminary research has revealed that the following conditions can be caused by, or aggravated by gum disease.
Children and adults with diabetes are more susceptible to contracting infections. In fact, periodontal disease is often determined to be a complication of diabetes.
Several independent studies have shown that periodontal disease is associated with heart disease. One found that gum disease was a greater risk factor for heart disease than high cholesterol levels.
A recent study that appeared in the Journal of Periodontology indicates that people with gum disease are five times more likely to develop asthma when compared with people who maintain good oral health.
While crooked teeth themselves don’t increase your chances of experiencing any of the above conditions, poor oral hygiene and gum disease does.
A uniformly straight smile offers a boost to self-confidence and allows you to take better care of your teeth and gums.
Our dentists are committed to helping teens and adults achieve a straight and healthy smile as a foundation for their long-term health and well-being. We offer Invisalign clear braces for a discreet and effective way to straighten teeth as a fundamental step toward ideal oral health and wellness.
