The Connection between your Body and your Mouth
A lot of people out there will talk about the connection of their minds to their body but what about the connection of their mouths to their body? For several people, a visit to the dentist means teeth cleaning, tooth extraction, or having a tooth filled. However, a dental visit is not all about your teeth but it is about your overall health as well. Whatever happens in your mouth will affect your whole body and whatever happens in your body can have an effect on your mouth.
Several diseases and conditions may affect your oral health. For instance, people may get more infections in their mouth if they have a weak immune system. The immune system is designed to protect your body from illnesses and infections. It can be weakened by diseases, drugs taken to prevent the rejection of an organ transplant, or a side effect of chemotherapy medications.
Medicines for other conditions affect your oral health as well. For instance, several drugs cause xerostomia or dry mouth. It can increase the risks of tooth decay and yeast infections. It will also affect the way you taste things.
When you examine your mouth, your dentist may see a sign or a symptom of an illness or a disease. You may not even know that you have this disease in the first place. The dentist will perform tests or your dentist may have to refer you to other specialists for treatment.
If you have certain medical conditions then you may need specialized oral and dental care. Your dentist can even refer you to an expert in oral medicine. Your oral health can affect other medical conditions as well. For instance, if you have diabetes then a mouth infection may disrupt your ability to control your blood sugar levels. Researchers today are also exploring whether periodontal gum disease increases the risk of other medical problems like heart disease and premature birth.