Keeping one’s teeth is more than just for aesthetic purposes. The more often reason people cite for keeping healthy teeth and gums is for hygiene. For doctors, however, the mouth is the first indicator of what is going on inside one’s body. No wonder Madison Square Dentistry is out on a campaign informing the public of the benefits of keeping the teeth healthy.
Early Detection of Disease
Systemic diseases are often seen through the early signs and symptoms they show through the mouth. Systemic diseases, for instance, often manifest as mouth lesions or take on another form of oral problem. Other things that could be detected through the saliva include stress response in newborn babies. The protein in the saliva could give an indication of bone loss in older men and women. Cancer cases could also be detected through the saliva.
Protection
More than being an indicator of disease, saliva contains pathogens that provide defense against viral pathogens and bacteria. The enzymes in saliva degrade the membranes of bacteria and inhibit the growth of certain bacteria. However, this should not mean that one can be less careful with what goes into the mouth because of this defense provided by the saliva. Just as the mouth has a system to protect us, it can also be an entryway for diseases to get into other parts of the body.
The Risks
Long-term gum infection can cause the loss of teeth. More seriously, bacteria in an oral infection has the possibility of causing inflammation throughout the body. Bacteria in the mouth could even enter the arteries and could cause the start of atherosclerotic plaques, which are the precursor for strokes and heart attacks.
Pregnant women face severe risks also if they have severe gum disease. Severe gum disease is one factor that holds the potential to increase the risk of preterm delivery. Another risk is giving birth to a baby that has a low birth weight.
Given the foregoing discussion, it will benefit you well if you keep your teeth and gums healthy. Not only does it look good, but it could also keep you from getting bacteria and viruses from entering the rest of your body. Madison Square Dentistry will be more than happy to help not just in keeping you informed, but also in keeping your teeth healthy.
