When it comes to preventive dental care, the approach is two-fold. First, it involves going to the dentist for regular checkups and performing any recommended follow-up treatment. Second, good oral health habits are crucial for keeping the body in good working order. For people living with chronic conditions such as diabetes and osteoporosis, keeping up with regular dental maintenance and care is essential to keep from developing further health complications. Explore the ways routine dental care helps protect some of the most vulnerable people from getting sicker.
An underlying medical condition can take a real toll on the body. Depending on the condition and the organ system in which it originates, medical issues may cause disruptions in the way the entire rest of the body functions, including the mouth.
Diabetes is a chronic illness that originates in the endocrine system and impacts the way sugar is processed. This irregularity with blood sugar can cause the body to produce too much or not enough insulin. The result is a general wearing of the body as a whole. The immune system is deficient in diabetics and infections pose more of a threat because the body is unable to heal as quickly. Dental infections can likewise require more aggressive and comprehensive treatment in diabetics than in those without the disease.
Oral health worsens in the face of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and osteoporosis. Taking care of the mouth is about more than securing a nice smile. The main objective is to preserve the teeth and clear out harmful bacteria that may lead to or exacerbate other harmful health conditions. There are many steps a person can take to ensure harmful invaders cannot create further issues inside the body.
The first step in preventing dental issues is establishing and sticking to a dental hygiene routine at home. Brushing teeth is essential to maintaining good oral health. When sugar is eaten, it settles on the teeth. Its stickiness makes it the ideal landing spot for bacteria. If the teeth are not cleaned properly, the bacteria begin to burrow into the enamel. Cavities and other more serious dental conditions can result. WebMD recommends brushing teeth twice a day at minimum to cut down on this process. Flossing should be performed at least one time a day.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Preventative Dental Care in San Antonio, TX.
Annual checkups with the dentist are another essential part of preventative care. For those with a chronic illness, these checkups are an opportunity to find out if there is anything amiss. With the help of X-rays, the dentist can see below the surface. The practitioner can check the status of the gums and make sure that any issues are addressed properly. These visits also include a thorough cleaning and any readjustment and coaching of at-home dental hygiene practices.
Those with health issues are not the only ones who should be practicing preventive dental care. When the mouth is healthy, not only does confidence get a boost, but so does the body's health.
Request an appointment or call All Smiles Dental Center at 210-714-7429 for an appointment in our San Antonio office.
Fluoride is an all-around defense for your teeth, gums, and whole mouth. This is why many towns add the mineral to drinking water as a matter of public health. Dentists also use fluoride treatments to protect their patients’ teeth from tooth decay.Read on for a brief walkthrough of how fluoride protects the teeth at a…
Preventative dental care such as visiting the dentist is a huge cause of anxiety and stress in many patients. The thought of being in the examination chair and hearing the tools and possible irritation of your teeth and gums can be quite upsetting. However, going to the dentist regularly will eliminate those concerns as you…
Part of preventative dental care is not only regularly maintaining your dental routine at home but also visiting your dentist twice a year. During this visit, they will look at the condition of your teeth and gums. Things they look out for are any sensitivities, bleeding, soft spots, or areas where bacteria are more likely…
Stepping into a cosmetic dentist’s clinic gives you the chance to look at how your smile can improve. The first visit will be an educational one. It also gives your dentist a chance to know you better. Here are the things that you should expect during your first visit to your cosmetic dentist.The cosmetic dentist…
During a smile makeover, a cosmetic dentist typically performs two or more procedures as part of an overall plan to improve a smile's appearance. Therefore, the definition of a smile makeover can be very broad and customizable. Smile makeovers can even be as simple as one procedure, such as dental veneers. A smile makeover plan…