Dr. Stephen A. Price

NORTHERN VIRGINIA GENERAL DENTISTRY &
INVISALIGN PREMIER PROVIDER

Call today for your free no obligation consultation: (703)-935-2879

6035 BURKE CENTRE PKWY | SUITE #200 | BURKE, VA 22015

Want a Healthier Body? See your Dentist!

By: | Monday, August 15th, 2016 | Gum Disease

Monday, August 15th, 2016


dental careWe have so many ways that we try to keep the body healthy. Some people yoga. Some run marathons. Some people eat a high protein diet, while others stick to high fat and low carb. Whatever your method of keeping your body healthy, it should include taking great care of your teeth. If you look at mounting research, you will see just how much the mouth and the body are entwined.

A healthy smile is generally a more attractive smile. Healthy teeth and gums are not considered sources of pain, because they are in good working order. What we are learning through ongoing research is that a healthy mouth is also a great indicator of health and wellness, and also of life expectancy.

Oral Wellness: the Missing Link?
Could we go so far as to say that keeping your mouth healthy will help you live longer? We probably could, and this would be backed by strong academic evidence. Through years of study, researchers have found direct links between the bacteria that cause periodontal disease and several serious health conditions. In fact, six of the seven leading causes of mortality, including Alzheimer’s, stroke, heart disease, and diabetes, all have ties to bacterium found in the mouth.

How it’s Possible
The idea of microscopic bacteria in the mouth causing deadly health conditions may seem far-fetched. A 2013 study published in Circulation is just one instance in which this is proven otherwise. In this study, as many of half of 101 heart attack events were linked to periodontal or endodontic bacterium. What many experts believe is that the bacterium themselves are just tiny matchsticks that light the fuse on a ticking time bomb that is fueled by systemic inflammation.

When the mouth, or any other part of the body, is infected, there is inflammation in that area. The immune system goes to work fighting this infection. If the original issue does not get resolved, inflammation continues to expand throughout the body. At some point, this becomes too great for the body to manage, and we see the development or worsening of disease.

All is not hopeless. No matter where you are in your oral health at this point, it is possible to mitigate infection and promote healthy teeth and gums. We are here to help you do that. Contact us for your checkup and cleaning.

 

 

Request Appointment