Oral health is the window to your overall health. It is more than just teeth, your gums and dentist visits. Problems with oral health can be a clue to something more going on in your body, while poor oral health can also cause other problems through out your body.
We need to understand this is not just limited to "teeth." It's much more than that.
Your mouth is full of bacteria - most of them harmless. Brushing and daily flossing can keep this bacteria under control. However, when you don't take proper care of your mouth and teeth, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, tooth decay, gum disease, even infections that can lead into the bloodstream and travel through out the body.
Certain medications such as decongestants, antihistamines, pain killers and diuretics can all reduce saliva flow. Saliva washes away food and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth. This helps aid in protecting you from microbial invasion or overgrowth of bacteria that can lead to disease.
Studies have revealed that many medical conditions can be linked to oral health. It can effect, contribute to or cause conditions such as the following:
- Endocarditis: Infection in the inner lining of the heart. This can happen when an infection from another part of the body, such as your mouth, spread through your bloodstream and travel to your heart.
- Cardiovascular Disease: Studies suggest that heart disease, stroke, and clogged arteries all could be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria causes.
- Diabetes: Diabetes reduces the body's resisitance to infection. This can put your gums at risk. Research shows that people who have diabetes and also have gum disease, have a harder time controlling their blood sugar levels and keeping their disease under control.
This is why it is very important to let your dentist know any medical conditions with which you have been diagnosed. You should also let them know all of the medications that you take.
You should brush your teeth at least twice a day. Floss daily. Eat a healthy diet and limit between meal snacking. Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, or sooner, if the bristles are frayed or worn. Schedule regular dental checkups.
Choosing a dentist who is licensed, professional, certified, caring, up to date on the latest techniques and procedures is the key to getting the best dental care for yourself. Making sure they have flexible office hours to accomodate your schedule and take your insurance, or will work with you through payment plans or financing options. Locally, this would be "Dentistry At South Brunswick." They are located at 886 Georges Road, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852. Telephone number (732) 951-0099.
Edwin Tanpiengco, D.M.D. is a top notch dentist who believes you should be part of the team to treat your dental needs. He takes the time to listen to your concerns and responds with the best treatment plan for you. His friendly professional staff makes every effort to assist you to the best of their ability. Whether it's fitting you into a requested appointment time slot, to making you feel more comfortable during your visit or assiting with insurance claims and questions, they go above and beyond.
The state of the art office has comfortable massaging treatment chairs with flat screen TVs and even headphones for music or simply to help drown out the sound of dental tools at work.
Dr. Tanpiengco provides every dental service imaginable - such as emergency dental treatment, veneers, crowns, root canals, implants, whitening, dentures, full mouth reconstruction and so much more. He even works with patients who suffer from sleep apnea to help diagnose, as well as treat the condition through dental devices, in addition to standard treatments by otolarynologists.
No matter what your dental needs are, Dr. "T," and his amazing staff will take the very best care of you, so give them a call.
Remember, oral health is overall health!
