Chew on This: Good Oral Health Can Help Fight Major Diseases

Do you know how important your oral health is to your overall health? Research by the Academy of General Dentistry shows that more than 90% of all systemic diseases (involving many organs or the whole body) are linked to oral health issues, such as swollen gums, mouth ulcers and dry mouth. These diseases include:

• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Oral cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Leukemia

To keep your teeth healthy between visits to the dentist, it’s important to know the risks associated with foods and drinks you consume each day. Check out the infographic below from Bright Side Dental that highlights some of the worst oral offenders.

If you get routine oral exams every 6-12 months as recommended by the American Dental Association, your dentist may be able to find a health problem in its early stages. Learn more about the link between your oral health and your overall health from our dental care partner, Delta Dental.