At Hawkins Complete Dental Service in Zanesville, OH, we make patient education a priority because we know that keeping your smile healthy is a team effort.

It’s sometimes surprising for patients to learn just how much a dentist can discover about their total body health simply through an oral examination.

That’s because your oral and overall health are closely linked, and when there’s a problem developing elsewhere in your body, it can try to send warning messages to you by what’s happening with your teeth and gums.

Health Problems Linked To Your Oral Health

Knowledge is power, which is why we want you to be aware of the connection between your mouth and the rest of your body.

Here are some health problems that studies show to be linked in some way to your oral health:

*Heart Disease & Diabetes*

Research shows that gum disease can increase your risk for developing heart disease and type II diabetes.

While the direct causal relationship between these health conditions and gum disease is not known for certain, we do know that bacterial infection has a huge role to play in all of it.

The harmful bacteria in your mouth can multiply and cause infections in your mouth that, potentially and under the right circumstances, enter your bloodstream and quickly spread throughout the body. The consequences can be dire, which is why it’s critical to do all you can to prevent gum disease in the first place.

You can do that with regular visits to Hawkins Complete Dental Service for routine checkups and with consistent oral hygiene practices on your own. Brushing twice each day for two minutes each time, as well as flossing once daily, can both go a long way in keeping your teeth and gums clean of food particles that bacteria like to eat. When you clear your mouth of bacteria’s favorite food source, you have a better chance of preventing the development of gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease.

*Vitamin Deficiencies*

If you’re not getting the proper vitamins and nutrients your body needs, it could manifest itself in the form of sores inside your mouth. Dr. Hawkins can give you a thorough examination to determine if you have any mouth sores and get to the source of what’s causing them. A possible solution for preventing oral health problems tied to vitamin deficiencies is nutritional counseling at Hawkins Complete Dental Service!

*Memory Loss*

Adult tooth loss is something many people associate with the elderly, but certain health conditions can lead to this dental problem at a much earlier age than you might think.

An example is with Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions related to memory loss. One possible reason for this connection between memory problems and premature tooth loss is that daily oral hygiene habits can become more erratic and difficult to maintain.

*Osteoporosis*

Osteoporosis, a condition where your bones are weak and brittle, could also put you at greater risk for tooth loss at an earlier age. That’s because just as all the bones in your body, your jawbone needs to be strong and healthy. And when your jawbone is weakened or deteriorated, your teeth and gums lack the foundation they need to maintain structural stability.

What You Can Do To Prevent Oral Health Issues

By no means are we saying that exhibiting the signs and symptoms we’re highlighting today is as good as a diagnosis! We just think it’s important to raise awareness about the connections between your oral and overall health so you can be proactive in keeping your teeth and gums safe.

And we also want you to know that you’re not alone!

Dr. Hawkins and our team in Zanesville, OH are your constant support system in the fight against gum disease and other oral health problems that can affect the rest of your body. Our goals are to provide you with high-quality dental care and to make sure you have the tools necessary to maintain a clean, healthy smile at home.

Step one is to remind you to get at least two dental cleanings and exams within a 12 month period, unless Dr. Hawkins determines you should come more often. There are people who are at a higher risk for gum disease or who need closer monitoring if they’re currently being treated for it. You’d want to come in more frequently, in those cases.

No matter what dental challenges you face, you can rely on Dr. Hawkins and our staff to help you find the best solutions for keeping your smile strong and healthy.

Schedule A Checkup!

We aren’t trying to scare you. In fact, as long as you’re keeping up with your routine dental cleanings and exams and practicing good oral hygiene at home, you’re better able to prevent the development of the serious health problems we’ve talked about today.

When you have our team in Zanesville, OH to monitor your oral health and catch any threats as early as possible, you have a better chance of avoiding gum disease and the health consequences associated with it.

If you have any questions or concerns, or want to request an appointment at Hawkins Complete Dental Service, call 740-214-1301 or fill out our convenient online form.