At Washington Center for Dentistry, our doctors put dental and overall body health first. It turns out that what happens in the mouth–doesn’t stay there! Harmful bacteria in your mouth–even in patients that appear healthy–are on the move into your bloodstream. These bacteria can harm your heart, as well as raise the risk for other serious health problems, like heart disease and dementia.
Now, there is a way to see risk not seen before–and go beyond mouth-health to body health. With simple saliva tests, our doctors and hygiene therapists zero in on each person’s personalized “Bacterial Blueprint” and maintain oral health with new protective protocols and therapies, including at-home rinses, probiotic tablets, etc.
To find out if your oral health is putting your overall wellness at risk, schedule a consultation today at Washington Center for Dentistry in Washington, D.C.
Physicians and dentists agree that there is a link between poor oral health and negative health problems. Several diseases can be caused by the untreated bacteria in your mouth, including:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Dementia
- Reproductive complications
- Diabetes complications
- Endocarditis
- Pneumonia
- Osteoporosis
A healthy mouth is the first line of defense for a healthy body. Dental infections produce a lot of bad bacteria that can lead to inflammation and infection. If left unchecked, the problems in your mouth can cause serious issues in the rest of your body and can often be a warning sign of negative things to come. When bacteria enter the bloodstream, it can cause a great deal of harm and lead to diseases.
Serious health issues related to bad oral health habits
Chronic conditions, such as diabetes, can lower the body’s response to infections in the mouth, such as gingivitis, that quickly spread through the body. Dental infections have been linked to low birth weights and premature births, and pregnant women are more likely to develop inflammation in their gums and periodontal disease. If bacteria from the mouth travels down to the respiratory tract and into the lungs, you could also be at risk of developing pneumonia. Other conditions connected to bad oral health include rheumatoid arthritis, various cancers, immune disorders, and eating disorders.
With the direct correlation between oral health and overall wellness, it’s important to maintain healthy dental maintenance. At Washington Center for Dentistry, our doctors recommend many healthy habits and use the latest dental technology to help you maintain your oral hygiene.
Dental infections can be bad for your heart
Bad bacteria that start in the mouth can be linked to various heart conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and endocarditis, a life-threatening inflammation within the heart. The correlation between oral health and heart health is still being researched, but at the Washington Center for Dentistry, we take heart health very seriously. Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers and/or valves and can be caused when bacteria and germs spread from another part of your body, such as your mouth.
Where can I get an oral checkup in Washington, D.C?
Our doctors at Washington Center for Dentistry are here to keep you healthy with our advanced technology and oral health tips. We use new devices and technology to keep the entire body well. Oral health is an essential part of the body’s overall wellness, and the more you take care of your mouth, the healthier you will be. Schedule a consultation today, and one of our expert-trained doctors can give you a full evaluation and a treatment plan to get your oral health back on track.