Oral Health Education
Covington, WA
Oral Health Education provided by Kyle S. Blair, DDS
in Covington, WA at Covington Family Dental
Oral health is so important! At Covington Family Dental we understand that the mouth is not separate or divorced from the body, but instead an integral part it. Your oral health status can often be a good indicator and influencer of your overall health. This is why Kyle S. Blair, DDS believes that promoting and analyzing full-body wellness is a crucial pillar of our practice
Did You Know? Did you know that an infection in the mouth can lead to sepsis, otherwise known as blood poisoning? Blood poisoning can result in organ dysfunction, chronic pain, amputation and even death. Thirty percent of all individuals across the globe who contract sepsis will die. Two hundred years ago, tooth decay would spread unchecked infection throughout the body and was considered the leading cause of death.
Too often, historians credit the increase in longevity solely on the rise of modern medicine. Not enough credit has been given specifically to the rise of dentistry. Even today, we often forget just how important our mouth is. After all, how we communicate, eat and view ourselves is all predicated upon the health of our mouth.
Today, we know that the oral cavity can serve as a roadmap to the inner workings of the rest of the body. Diseases such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s weaken the immune system and can have a dangerous impact on your overall, oral health. Conversely, periodontal disease might signify and negatively influence endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, infertility, and premature birth (just to name a few).
Your Heart and Your Mouth According to the American Heart Association, you can reduce your risk for heart attack by 25% by scheduling as few as two professional cleanings per year. Why is this? How is oral health and cardiovascular health linked? The answer is periodontal disease. At its biological basis, periodontal disease, which is quite common, is an infection of the gums. Infection is caused by bacteria.
So why does bacteria matter so much to you and your family? Well, put this into perspective: Scientists have discovered over 700 different varietals of oral bacteria. The good news is that most people only exhibit from 34 to 72 different strains. The bad news is that on average, bacteria replicate every five hours. Research approximates that a normal individual has 20 billion microbes in their mouth. This means that if you go an entire day without brushing your teeth, you will have 100 billion bacteria in your mouth.
Your immune system is always working to combat infection, but a compromised immune system lowers your body’s natural defenses and allows harmful bacteria through. When bacteria spreads to the blood and the heart, it can then attach itself to any damaged areas thus causing inflammation, which can aggravate issues such as endocarditis, atherosclerosis, and stroke.
Good Health InitiativeAt Covington Family Dental we know that a healthy body is not complete without positive oral health. We hope you can agree that there is no day like today to start taking care of your mouth. Call us today at 253.499.6155 to schedule your appointment!
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