You may have heard the saying that the eyes are the window to the soul. While that may be true, your dentist in Madison wants you to know that the mouth is in fact the window to overall health. Years of research continues to show just how important oral health is to overall health and how issues with your teeth or gums could increase your risk for more severe health issues elsewhere in your body, which makes proper oral hygiene even more important. What Oral Health Can Say About Overall HealthYour mouth can actually give your dentist in Madison a glimpse at what may be happening in other areas of your body. Several whole-body problems can even first show signs in the mouth before anywhere else... and before you even suspect a problem. In fact, according to the Academy of General Dentistry, more than 90% of all systemic diseases display symptoms in the mouth including:

• HIV/AIDS
• Diabetes
• Kidney Disease
• Oral Cancer

Seeing your dentist in Madison regularly can help catch these problems early and get you into treatment sooner. Gum Disease & Your HealthThe connection between oral health and overall health doesn’t end there and goes even deeper to show a link between gum disease and other diseases throughout the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, gum disease is often related to other health issues such as:

• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Preterm births
• Pneumonia
• Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

Protect Your Teeth, Protect Your HealthHaving good oral health clearly has whole-body benefits, so it’s more important than ever to practice good oral hygiene habits. Make sure to:

• Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day.
• Floss daily to remove bacteria from hard-to-reach places that brushing alone won’t reach.
• Keep sugary foods and drinks to a minimum and focus on eating a diet rich with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and proteins.
• Avoid tobacco use.
• See your dentist every six months.

If it’s been a while since you’ve seen a dentist, we’re here to help. Our welcoming team is dedicated to caring for each and every one of our patients, no matter what. There is no judgment in our office, only genuine care and an unwavering commitment to oral and overall health. Call today to schedule an appointment.