Good oral health promotes your overall health

We often say that the mouth is the gateway to the body, a window to your overall health and well-being. Often, signs of inflammation, periodontal (gum) disease, and tooth decay can be signs of other larger systemic issues. In fact, research has shown associations between the health of your mouth and cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, osteoporosis and even pregnancy outcomes. 

Most striking is the two-way relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes. Studies have found that diabetes increases the risk of periodontitis.. and gum inflammation can negatively affect your body’s glycaemic control. However, when periodontal disease is treated, there are associated improvements in glycaemic control, which may be clinically relevant in diabetes management overall.

Often, we, dentists, are the first to see these signs before other health professionals - what other health professionals do you see regularly at least 2x a year? And, as a key health partner to you and your family, we at Mailloux Dentistry have the ability to refer you to your doctor to get screened for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.

That’s also why we place the highest emphasis on preventative health, helping you promote healthy habits in your own oral health and detect early signs of tooth or gum issues before they become a problem. Curious about the above? Feel free to ask your dentist the next time you drop in, we’d be happy to talk about it relative to your own personal situation.

Want to read even more? Check out this recent article in Bazaar, The rise in gum health awareness (and what a dentist wants you to know about it).