To celebrate this Women’s Health Month, take the time to learn about how your oral health can impact your overall health. You may not have known, but women’s oral health needs fluctuate depending on what unique phase of their life they’re in. Growing research has found that taking care of your mouth can have benefit your overall wellbeing. Scheduling your dental checkup in Lake Highlands is the first step in looking after your body and keeping up with your health. Read on to discover the links between your mouth and overall body and how your oral health can change throughout your life.
How Can Your Oral Health Affect the Rest of Your Body?
Maintaining great oral health can help reduce your risk of developing several illnesses. Gum disease, the leading oral problem for women, is a bacterial infection that can enter the bloodstream if left untreated. It has been linked to several illnesses and health problems including:
- Respiratory Issues: When the bacterial infection isn’t treated, it can get into your bloodstream and spread throughout your body, including your lungs. This can increase your risk of developing diseases such as pneumonia.
- Pregnancy Outcomes: Gum disease can increase certain biological fluids found in pregnant women that can induce labor and result in having a prematurely born baby.
- Heart Disease: Studies have found the same bacteria that causes oral diseases in patients with heart disease. Research has found that people with gum disease are at a higher risk of developing heart disease and having fatal heart attacks. The National Women’s Health Resource Center published that heart disease is the number one cause of death in American women.
1 in 2 American adults have gum disease, and because it’s mostly painless, you may not even realize it until it progresses. Visiting your dentist for your semi-annual checkups and cleanings is the best way to spot and treat symptoms before they advance and cannot be reversed.
How Does Your Oral Health Change During Your Life?
Because of changing hormone levels during different stages of life, women’s gums react differently to plaque and tartar buildup. At these times, it’s especially important to thoroughly look after your oral hygiene to prevent gum disease:
- Menstruation: Before your period begins, you may notice that your gums appear swollen and bleed easily. Other women even get cold and canker sores, but these symptoms will usually disappear once you start menstruating.
- Pregnancy: Research has shown that pregnant women often develop pregnancy gingivitis due to plaque buildup. Common symptoms include red, inflamed, and irritated gums.
- Menopause: When going through menopause, you may experience gum irritation, discomfort, a burning feeling, and dry mouth.
Keeping up with your oral hygiene routine is especially important in maintaining your overall health during these periods of your development. This Women’s Health Month, skipping out on your regular visit with your dentist in Lake Highlands could have more of an impact than you think. Look after your body by checking in with your dentist about your oral health!
About the Author
Dr. Mariya Barnett purchased her practice in February of 2017 and has since formed lasting relationships with countless patients. She enjoys helping her patients reach their oral health goals and watching them gain confidence in their smiles. She has demonstrated her expertise by being published in the Journal of Dental Education and the Texas Dental Journal. She also received the American College of Dentists Award and D Magazine’s Top Doctors of Collin County in 2015. For any questions or to schedule a checkup and cleaning, visit her website or contact 214-373-9903.
