Oral Care

The tooth of the matter is that without good oral health, we cannot get well or stay well. No matter how brave we have to be, or how much saving we need to do ahead of time, or how many payments we have to make after the fact, we must take care of our teeth. OK, lets all go to the mirror and do some poking and prodding for a good reality check. Hmmnn— look at those gums. Those red areas are major apartment areas for many types of bacteria--viridens, fusiforms, anaerobes and facultatives. They really prefer that we don’t floss twice daily and are happy when we are too busy or too late to do a thorough brushing and rinse job. Oh dear, check out those broken teeth, the tender ones, the blackened ones. Check the breath--aaahhh, bacteria breath! Yes, now touch the jaw and over the sinuses and down the neck. Tender parts! There could be some trouble here. Hmmmnn.

Maybe our family and friends love us just the way we are. But our other body parts might not be so accepting. Chronic sinus troubles despite a cupboard full of nasal sprays and tablets and capsules may be a sign that the upper teeth and gums are in poor repair. Can’t get over a cold or bronchitis and the doctor is dedicating a special room for the frequent visits? Suspect troubles of teeth and gums. Chronic stomach troubles may also come from swallowing large amounts of bacteria from the mouth. Granted, most of the bacteria are killed by the fierce acid in the stomach. However, the dead bodies of the bacteria release toxins that keep us disturbed and sometimes sick.

Many who suffer from diabetes find that even with great effort: diet, exercise, complex medications and regimens, the blood sugar will not go to that goal of 140 or less. Many know that when there is infection in the body, the sugar in the blood stream is often higher. Many also have become very aware that it is harder to heal when the blood sugars are high. When diabetes is present, the white blood cells are injured and cannot do their job well. Enter the oral bacteria excess. Chronic mouth infections will cause the kind of inflamation that will allow the blood sugar to stay elevated which injures the cells of the body and allows for other infections. Just as it is important for those with diabetes to keep up with eye care, it is very important to minimize gum and tooth infections. When those infections happen, it is important to get treatment.

Early heart disease and late heart disease can be worsened and accelerated by bacteria from the mouth. The constant seeding of bacteria from the mouth can allow the bacteria to overgrow cause inflamed areas in the blood vessels and valves of the heart. These inflamed areas are treated aggressively by our immune system. Patches and plaques and injury and repair and re-injury and more bacteria can put us at risk for heart disease, heart attacks. This same scene can also put us at risk for strokes from carotid artery disease and disease in the aorta.

Even if we feel good now, and our energy is good, keeping a very healthy mouth will help us stay young. Brush and floss and rinse and see the dentist of your choice. May you stay forever young.