Your Dentist in Edison: Gum Health and Overall Health are Connected

When we think about visiting the dentist, we usually only think about getting our cleaning done, maybe an occasional cosmetic treatment, and not much else. However, many people don’t realize how important visiting your dentist is for protecting your overall health as well as your oral health. How is this the case? According to your dentist in Edison, if your gums are unhealthy, chances are there’s something wrong in your body as well.

Today, we’ll be discussing how your gum health affects the rest of your body and how your dentist is staying vigilant to protect your health every time you come for a visit.

The Connection Between Periodontal Disease and Overall Health

While gum health and the health of the rest of your body may seem like two completely different topics, dentists and other medical professionals have been stressing their connection for years due to countless research studies. These studies have proven that more serious illnesses like heart disease, stroke, diabetes are often linked to gum disease.

Researchers believe that when the barrier between your gums and connective tissue deteriorates due to poor oral hygiene, bacteria that was once exclusive in the mouth can easily travel via the bloodstream to other areas of the body. Not only does bacteria collect in the form of plaque and contribute to blockages in blood vessels, but it also increases inflammation. This restricts blood vessels even more, increasing your chances of experiencing a heart attack or stroke.

How Your Edison Dentist Protects You

This is precisely why your dentist takes the presence of gum disease so seriously. Through the use of microscopic monitoring, he can catch gum disease in its earliest stages as well as better identify the cause of existing gum disease and treat it more effectively.

Simply put, microscopic monitoring is the process of taking samples of bacteria from patients and viewing them through a phase contrast microscope. By doing this, your dentist can:

• Determine if a patient is harboring bacteria associated with periodontal disease
• Diagnose the potential for gum disease before it appears
• Advise patients on how to eliminate problematic germs naturally and non-surgically
• Treat disease more effectively and at a lower cost

How to Prevent Periodontal Disease at Home

Your dentist in Edison often touts the benefits of preventive dental habits because it’s the most effective way to stop gum disease in its tracks. Proper prevention includes:

• Brushing twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste
• Flossing daily, ideally right before bed
• Visiting your dentist every six months
• Having a healthy, balanced diet

If you care about maintaining your overall health, you’ll need to visit your dentist regularly, so they can confirm you don’t show any signs of dental disease. By making this a habit, you’ll be one step ahead of a majority of people and lower your risk of getting more serious diseases.

It’s not worth it to skip dental visits. Schedule your next appointment with your dentist in Edison today!

About the Author

Dr. Steven Resnick earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the New York University College of Dentistry. He’s also lectured about the non-surgical treatment of gum disease on a nationally level. His written explanations of its causes and available treatments can be found in dental offices across the country. To learn more about periodontal therapy in Edison or learn about the practice, contact him at (908) 668-7838 or visit his website.