Taking good care of your teeth is important to keep them in top shape, even…
How your Oral Health and Physical Health are Related
Improper oral health can have detrimental effects on your heart and even your blood sugar levels. When gum disease goes undetected in your mouth, the buildup of plaque on your teeth can eventually enter your bloodstream, causing serious issues for your heart. In addition, if you have diabetes, it can be very difficult to manage your blood sugar levels if you have periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease. The only way to know if you have gum disease is to keep your semi-annual dental checkup appointments to have the plaque professionally removed from your teeth, lowering your risk of physical ailments as a result of poor oral health.
The Heart and Plaque
When you have a large amount of plaque in your mouth, it can easily pass into your bloodstream via your saliva. As the plaque passes through your bloodstream, it can become attached to the fatty areas of the blood vessels, causing subsequent heart disease. If your blood becomes clotted, the heart becomes at serious risk for heart disease. If you are already predisposed for heart disease, gum disease could make your issues even more serious.
Diabetes and your Oral Health
Diabetes and oral health also go hand-in-hand. If you already have diabetes, it is very important to keep an eye on your oral health care. Diabetes makes you much more susceptible to gum disease, especially if you do not keep good control over your blood sugar levels. On the flip side, having gum disease also makes it difficult to regulate your blood sugar levels.
Preventing Serious Health Issues
One of the best ways to prevent a high risk of heart disease or diabetes complications as a result of your oral health is to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. In addition, you should have your regular dental checkups twice a year to allow us to determine if you have any early signs of gum disease. Even if you brush your teeth well, there are certain areas of your mouth that plaque will accumulate that only a professional dental hygienist or dentist can remove. The longer that the plaque is left to build up in your mouth, the higher your risk of contracting heart disease or having difficulty managing your diabetes will be, which is why it is essential to get a professional cleaning at least twice per year to ensure your overall oral and physical health.
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Dr. Jordan Cooper is from Jacksonville, AR. His father is Dr. James Cooper, a Jonesboro, AR native and practicing dentist of 39 years and his mother, Tracy Cooper, is a dental hygienist from Little Rock. Dr. Cooper graduated high school from Central Arkansas Christian, after which he entered at the University of Arkansas as a Chancellor’s Scholar in 1998.
Dr. David Cole is a graduate from the University of Arkansas, receiving his degree in 2016, and is a huge Razorback fan! He then went to dental school at the University of Tennessee where he received his D.D.S. in 2021. He looks forward to getting to know the Central Arkansas area, and serving his community!
Dr. Rasmussen is a Hot Springs native who graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2017 (Go Bears). After receiving his D.D.S from The University of Tennessee in 2021, he is looking forward to serving the central Arkansas community and the wonderful people who live here.
Dr. James Cooper was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He studied at the University of New Mexico and graduated from dental school from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. After 2 years of dental experience with the Army, Dr. Cooper moved to Jacksonville in 1973 to practice dentistry.