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Your smile is the gateway to the rest of your body. Seeing a cosmetic dentist in The Woodlands can help your teeth be a beautiful accessory that reflects great health and vitality. But if there’s something lacking about your smile, it could also be a clue that there are more serious things going on.

The Oral-Systemic Health Connection

There’s a tremendous amount of scientifically backed research that shows oral infections having a close link to serious medical issues like:

• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Pneumonia
• Erectile dysfunction
• Infertility (both men and women)
• Preeclampsia and pre-term labor
• High blood pressure
• Heart attack

…and possibly even conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and obesity.

But how? Because of the inflammation cycle and the bacterial pathogens that spread from your mouth to elsewhere in the body. When there’s active gum disease, biofilm can move from your teeth into your bloodstream. As a result, they’re transported elsewhere via your cardiovascular system, sometimes lodging within your blood vessels, heart, or inside of cranial arteries (restricting blood flow to your brain.)

When your body senses the bacterial infection inside of your mouth, your antibodies start to rush towards the area in an attempt to heal it. At this point you see bleeding and swelling along the gums. If allowed to exist for an extended period of time, your overall immune system becomes strained, making it harder for your body to combat other issues going on at the same time.

The Appearance of Your Hard and Soft Tissues

Did you know that certain types of health conditions can have oral warning signs? For example, someone with anemia may have very pale gum tissues that bleed quite easily. Or an individual with acid reflux disease could exhibit signs of erosion on the cusps of their molars (back teeth). Even certain types of autoimmune diseases can exhibit symptoms inside of your mouth, making your family or cosmetic dentist in Conroe aware of the condition before you are.

If you’ve ever wondered why your dentist asks you about your health history during your exam, it isn’t because they’re just being nosy. It’s because there’s a close link between your oral health and that of the rest of your body. Even certain types of medications can change the way your teeth and gums look!

The Woes of Missing Teeth

When you don’t have a healthy, beautiful smile, it’s difficult to get all of the nutrients you need from a balanced diet. As a result, a lot of people shift to softer and processed foods, which increase inflammation and weight, not to mention dental plaque levels.

Finding a Conroe Dentist You Can Trust

Our expert practice has served the greater Conroe and The Woodlands areas since the 1980s. When it comes to scientifically backed care practices and incorporating a combination of technology with expertise, we always have your best interests at hand.

Contact us today to find out how we can help you have healthier gums, a stronger smile, and reduce the risk of oral infections on the rest of your body. Call us today!