Lose a Tooth, Lose a Month?
Really? Teeth are that important? If I lose a tooth, my life gets shorter? Yep, that’s the conclusion researchers at Göteborg University, in Göteborg, Sweden reached when they compared dental records to mortality rates of people over 70 years old.
During pregnancy, there are many unique physiologic changes that can have a detrimental effect on oral health.
Hormonal changes, morning sickness, poor diet, and an increased gag reflex are obstacles that can put the expectant mother at risk for tooth decay and gingivitis. Becoming knowledgeable regarding the causes of dental disease and adopting good oral hygiene practices are even more necessary at this time.
Watch this video as Whoopie Goldberg Talks About Gum Disease on The View.
Gum disease or periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that causes loss of bone support surrounding the teeth. The primary etiology consist of certain species of bacteria, while secondary factors include genetics, hormones, medications, smoking, alcohol, stress, diabetes, obesity, poor oral hygiene, dry mouth, and poor diet.
The Link Between the Mouth and the Body
New research is available showing how infection from the teeth and gums is directly related to illnesses in the rest of the body.
Bacterial infections in the mouth can be a major factor in the development of several systemic diseases. These new risk factors have disproven the fallacy that the mouth is a separate entity when compared to the entire body. These findings also allow dentists and physicians to join together in treatment modalities for the betterment of their patient’s overall health.
