The health of your smile and body are inter-related. Known
as the oral-systemic connection, recent studies have indicated that the health
of one entity has a tendency to influence the other. As a result, maintaining a
healthy smile though trips to Dr. Lavoger Gies not only helps patients retain
their oral health but also ensures that individuals stay healthy as a whole.
Identifying the
Oral-Systemic Connection
In recent years, a number of studies have observed that
dental conditions often yield health consequences for other parts of the body.
For example, untreated advanced periodontal disease has been
linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and may also make it more
difficult for patients suffering from diabetes to control their condition. Untreated
tooth infections provide bacteria with the opportunity to enter the bloodstream
and affect vital organs and putting patients at risk of blood poisoning. Even
the misalignment of the dentition can have a lasting impact on an individual’s
overall health. Overcrowding, overbites, and other alignment conditions can
have a domino-like effect on the position of the jaw and, increases the risk of
temporomandibular joint disorders such as migraines, bruxism, dizziness, and
vision problems.
Health conditions can also yield symptoms that manifest
within the mouth. For example, while Chron’s Disease primarily impacts the
gastrointestinal tract, oral manifestations of the condition can include
cobblestone appearance of the lining within the mouth and gum swelling.
Similarly, celiac disease may also cause oral symptoms, including canker sores,
geographic tongue, as well as tonsil stones. Additionally, medications being
taken for certain health conditions may have oral implications such as dry
mouth and dry throat.
Why Preventive
Dentistry?
To maintain a healthy smile, patients typically visit the
dentist at least twice a year and adopt some form of oral hygiene at home. As a
number of conditions manifest themselves orally, these regular visits are
critical to identifying potential health issues before they can significantly
compromise an individual’s overall health.
During your initial visit at our dental practice, our team
utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to monitor the condition of your
smile and identify any changes as well as indicators of any health conditions.
At our San Antonio office, Dr. Lavoger Gies works closely with other health
professionals to ensure patients have access to the appropriate dental care as
well as follow-up treatments in the event of a more serious overall health
condition. For more information about our comprehensive approach to preventive
dentistry, contact our San Antonio dentist today.
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