Taking care of your teeth and gums has several benefits. You save yourself time, money, and literal headaches with regular cleanings and home maintenance. Preventive visits keep your teeth healthy and may even detect early stages of oral cancer. Surprisingly, it's not just your mouth that's affected. Allowing bacteria to build up around your teeth can lead to several serious and seemingly unrelated health issues. When enough bacteria is present, it can make its way into your bloodstream and cause problems for other parts of your body.

• Brain - A recent study from the National Institute of Aging suggests a link between the bacteria behind gum disease and several types of dementia, including Alzheimer's. Researchers have said that a long-term follow-up study is required to show causation.
• Heart - The bacteria that cause inflammation of your gums can travel to your heart and cause its inner lining to become inflamed in a condition called endocarditis. Gum disease can also indirectly affect your heart because it is a "key contributor" to atherosclerosis, increasing your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
• Lungs - Constant inhalation of the bacteria that cause gum disease can result in respiratory infections like pneumonia. 
• Pancreas - The American Dental Association has linked gum disease to an increase in blood sugar levels, which may cause people to develop or have trouble controlling their type 2 diabetes. This may be the beginning of an unfortunate cycle, as increased glucose levels raise the risk of gum disease.
• Joints - Similar to the risk of atherosclerosis, your body's immune response to the constant inflammation of your gums may increase your risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

At WestLake Dental Care, we understand that keeping your mouth healthy isn't just about maintaining your teeth and gums. It impacts your whole body. Contact us today to schedule your next cleaning.