Regular dental check-ups are important for strong, clean, healthy teeth. But did you know that these check-ups can also help with diagnosing other, non-dental potential health issues?
A 2021 report by Harvard Medical School revealed the link between plaque on your teeth and plaque in your arteries. The Ivy League university had been studying the relationship between the two maladies for decades. They concluded that gum disease was an “independent risk factor” for heart disease.
“Periodontal disease increases the body’s burden of inflammation,” said periodontist Dr. Hatice Hasturk of the Harvard-affiliated Forsyth Institute, a not-for-profit research organization focused on oral health, in the report. The report also concluded that gum disease patients were two to three times more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or other major cardiovascular event.
And while Harvard Medical School noted that while treating gum diseases did not directly prevent cardiovascular disease or its complications, good oral hygiene in the form of regular dental check-ups was imperative for the body’s overall health.
Besides the connection between gum disease and heart disease, an October 2022 study linked between the presence of oral bacteria and the bacteria called Porphyromonas gingivalis and Alzheimer’s disease. In some cases, the oral bacteria were detected in the brain. These bacteria can be removed with regular dental check-ups and proactive oral hygiene.
Dental Check-ups: Prevention is the Best Cure
To put it simply, your oral health is the key to your total body health. Getting regular dental check-ups isn’t just about maintaining a healthy smile — it’s about staying healthy, as well. When you get regular dental check-ups, your dentist will remove plaque and tartar build-up from your teeth, especially in those hard-to-reach areas that at-home cleaning can’t do.
Getting your teeth cleaned during regular check-ups will prevent cavities, freshen your breath, and reduce your risk of gum disease.
What’s more, your dentist can help you take a proactive approach to both your dental health and body health. By getting regular dental check-ups, you’ll also reduce the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and other inflammatory diseases. Your dentist can also identify other potentially fatal diseases, including oral cancer, bone disease, and mouth infections, during the course of your oral examination.
Contact Babylon Dental Care for All Your Oral Health Needs
Since 1983, our dedicated team at Babylon Dental Care has been working with patients all over Nassau and Suffolk County to be proactive about their oral health. We strive to meet our core values while ensuring each patient gets the dedicated dental care they need — and deserve.
Your bright, white smile doesn’t just make you look good — it makes you feel good, too. You can take comfort in knowing that you’ve taken the first step towards preventing more serious diseases. All you have to do is get regular dental check-ups. Best of all, we provide affordable dental services and offer free consultations.
To schedule your dental check-up appointment at one of our two convenient locations, call (631) 983-6665 or contact us online today.
