You may eat healthly. You may go to the gym four times a week. But the truth is—if your mouth isn’t healthy, you’re not healthy. To help you see why, here are three of the biggest connections between mouth and body.
Bacteria can reach vital organs through your mouth.
Think about it—your mouth is a massive portal for bacteria. Sure, you kill a lot of them by brushing and flossing daily. But there’s only so much brushing can do, and if the presence of bacteria reaches a certain level, your mouth could be susceptible to gum disease and tooth decay. Not only that but bacteria that enter your mouth can travel through your bloodstream and cause inflammation to other parts of your body, like your heart and lungs. This could, in turn, lead to serious medical conditions, such as endocarditis (destruction to the inner lining of your heart), pneumonia, or cardiovascular disease.
Gum disease is linked to strokes.
Researchers have known for years that gum disease is linked to heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and a host of other underlying medical problems. But recently, two studies proposed that patients with gum disease are twice as likely to suffer a stroke than those without it. Though scientists aren’t sure if gum disease directly causes strokes, they’re becoming more confident that it exacerbates underlying problems, such as enlarged arteries, which can bring on a stroke faster. 
Gum disease can raise blood sugar.
Dental research has shown repeatedly that people with diabetes are vulnerable to gum disease. But now scientists are finding out that gum disease can raise your blood sugar, even if you don’t have diabetes. The reason is simple: when bacteria travel through your bloodstream, your body releases molecules as a defense. These molecules, in turn, can raise your blood sugar, which, if it gets worse, can lead to diabetes.
Healthy Mouth, Healthy You
You can put all of these out of your mind (and mouth) by visiting our family dentistry, Foote Family. We’ve been helping our patients in Louisiana fight gum disease and keep their mouths healthy for over 20 years. Contact us to book an appointment, and we’ll make sure you have a healthy mouth.
