Dentist in Homer Glen Keeps Oral & Overall Health in Check!

Your dentist in Homer Glen tells you all the time that it’s important to take care of your teeth and gums. But why? Believe it or not, there are tons of cases that show how a simple infection of the mouth can increase your risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and other health concerns. There’s nothing to speculate. The connection between a healthy mouth and healthy body is undeniable just the same as a deteriorating mouth is to declining overall health.

Connecting the Dots Between Your Oral and Overall Health

When you choose to visit your dentist, you’re making the choice to truly look out for your overall health. In contrary, when you miss your appointments for exams and deep cleanings, you can develop poor oral health. Poor oral health that’s left unaddressed can lead to major problems like these:

Heart disease

Studies have found a relationship between advanced gum disease and coronary heart disease or formally known as atherogenesis. It all starts with the inflammation of your gums. Once gum disease continues to progress, your gums can recede. This leaves holes in your smile for plaque to enter your bloodstream and cause blockage in your arteries. In fact, patients that don’t seek help with their gum disease are nearly twice at risk for heart disease.

Stroke

If you are missing some, all of your teeth, or have lost significant amounts of bone and tissue around your teeth, you may be at increased risk of stroke. Again, your bloodstream and the rest of your body is susceptible to bacteria and other debris when your mouth begins to deteriorate.

Diabetes

Did you know that advanced gum disease is the most common dental health condition that affects diabetics? Nearly 22% of all diabetics develop periodontal disease (advanced gum disease). The reason that periodontitis specifically affects diabetic patients is that of the difficulty that diabetics have in controlling their blood glucose levels. Bacteria thrive on sugar, and when blood glucose levels aren’t maintained properly, it can cause the bacteria in your mouth to multiply quickly and uncontrollably, causing the dental disease to take over.

Prevent Dental Diseases to Avoid Chronic Diseases

Taking care of your teeth and gums takes a team. One-half of the team is your family dentist in Homer Glen. The other is you! It’s important to practice exceptional dental hygiene practices at home between dental appointments. It’s also just as critical to making sure that you have a healthy diet and avoid harmful substances. Here are a few things you can do to keep your smile strong at home:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes per session.
• Floss your teeth at least once a day.
• Stay hydrated with water.
• Include vitamin rich foods in your diet.
• Avoid using tobacco products.
• Limit alcohol consumption.
• Keep your dental appointments with Dr. DeAngelo.

Your Dentist is Here to Help You, Too!

By taking diligent care of your teeth at home and having your teeth professionally cleaned and checked, you have a much higher chance of maintaining great health overall. If you already have one of these health problems, it’s vital that you pay special attention to your mouth to keep the condition from getting worse. Contact us today to schedule your next appointment.