South Florida Cosmetic Dentist Notes How Oral Health Affects the Whole Body
People tend to think of beautiful straight teeth as a purely cosmetic concern – a luxury rather than a necessity. However, teeth that are crooked, stained, or have other problems can cause physiological problems in the rest of the body or can be an indicator of other health problems.
“Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean properly, potentially leading to tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss,” notes Dr. Charles Nottingham, a Miami dentist and Fort Lauderdale dentist.”A bad bite can also cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, poor speech, and excessive stress on the jaw bone and gum tissue.”
Poor bites can also influence chewing and swallowing and food selection – leading to nutritional problems. Pain in the jaw or teeth can lead to pain in the head, neck, shoulders, or elsewhere in the body. Oral pain often leads to diminished activity, lost work days, depression, sleep problems, and missed school for children.
“In addition, problems with your teeth can be an indicator of whole-body health issues,” points out Dr. Nottingham, a South Florida cosmetic dentist.”Scientific research indicates a link between gum disease and many other overall health problems including: high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, premature births and many more.”
Sometimes teeth can reveal a previously unknown health condition. Conditions that can be detected in the mouth include diabetes (causesgum infections), acid reflux (teeth are much more prone to decay), some auto-immune disorders (the soft tissue in the mouth and salivary glands can be affected), liver diseases (the soft tissue in the mouth is jaundiced) and many more.
On the other hand, teeth that are well-cared for have a host of psychological and physiological benefits. If you visit your doctor regularly you can avoid infections in the mouth that could spread to the rest of the body. “If your bite is well-aligned, your mouth will be comfortable, you’ll be able to speak easily, and you can eat anything you want,” says Dr. Nottingham.”A beautiful smile can increase your self-esteem and encourage you to smile more (something everyone could use!). And increased self-confidence generates success.”
About South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry
The cosmetic dentists at South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry have offices in Broward County and West Palm Beach and provide Boca Raton Dentistry, Fort Lauderdale Dentistry and Miami Dentistry. They specialize in dental aesthetics including porcelain veneers, dental implants, extreme makeovers, Invisalign, and sedation dentistry.
About Nottingham Consulting Group
Nottingham Consulting Group (NCG) is a business consulting firm specializing in business management, business coaching, and marketing strategies. NCG’s award-winning team members use modern marketing techniques coupled with strategic planning to provide clients breakthrough results.
