What is the Oral-Systemic Link?
You’ve always heard that it’s important to take care of your teeth. Brush and floss every day, and see the dentist for good oral health. But did you know that your oral health could directly affect your overall health? And the road goes both ways—problems with your overall health show signs in your mouth, too.
Did you know that gum disease increases your risk of heart attack by 50%? Did you know that plaque buildup in your mouth can be an indicator of and contribute to plaque buildup in your arteries? These mouth-body connections are called the “oral-systemic link”. Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams explain the important ways your body systems work together for better or worse.
We think fondly of it, we all want it – why is it so hard to find? We’re talking about sleep, of course. A poll by the