Remember the Ala-molar
Posted by Tanner Jessel on Thu, Jun 12, 2008 @ 07:23 PM
When it comes to our oral health, our immune system must feel like the defenders of the Alamo facing Santa Anna's troops. That's because whether we like it or not, our mouth is home to billions of microorganisms. That’s more bacteria than microbiologists even have names for. There’s strains of the familiar beasties like staph and strep that we know about, and there are even some microorganisms that are good for us, our allies in keeping the bad ones in check. Some even lend a hand with digesting the food we eat.
Unfortunately not all microbes are helpful, and in fact some can cause serious health problems that aren’t limited to our teeth. Because of this, neglecting to take care of your teeth can negatively impact your overall health.
As one example,
a study from the American Heart Association publication Circulation cautions that neglecting oral health can cause an infection of the heart called bacterial endocarditis. This happens when high levels of bacteria in the mouth overcome our body's ability to neutralize the danger, allowing microbes such as Streptococcus viridans to enter the bloodstream. This germ common to the mouth is responsible for about 50 percent of all
heart infections. Once in the bloodstream, bacteria can cause a blood infection and put the heart at risk for an infection.
Bacteria will always be present in the mouth, and they’ll always slip past our defenses, but neglecting to maintain oral healthcare allows the mouth to become a refuge for harmful bacteria and "stacks the deck" in the germ's favor. When these harmful bacteria flourish, they can cause gum disease and tooth decay. Without proper dental care, these health problems can then lead to more complicated dental health problems including persistent infections like abscesses. These infections greatly increases the risk of a blood infection, since bacteria in the mouth can more easily enter the blood and get past our body’s natural defenses.
Given the risks, it's clear that dental healthcare should be a priority for everyone. A dental plan from Universal Dental Plan provides affordability for a necessity. Even with the most conscientious care to brush and floss, maintaining your dental health should be placed in the skilled hands of your local dental healthcare professional. Take advantage of our negotiated rates and bring the good fight to the battle for your good health. After all, when you're outnumbered a billion to one, you need every possible advantage to defend your health.