Here are some points you need to consider when you think about how about your Dental or Oral Health Status. I am sharing this information because there are many of you out there who feel that you brush your teeth, use Mouth rinses and even Floss occasionally and all is well. You probably think that if there is no pain then no need to visit the Dentist. Even though you know that you need to have a 6 monthly dental check-up and do a Scaling and Polishing you keep putting it off.

First and foremost, just because there is no pain does not mean all is well in your mouth. There could be small cavities starting and need attention doing cosmetic fillings before they become a big problem requiring root canal treatment or even a dental extraction. But in this blog, I want to focus on the other aspect of Dental Treatment that patients visit the Dental Clinics - Gum Disease or Periodontal Disease or Periodontitis. Just so you know the other word commonly used is Gingivitis which is the first stage of Periodontitis commonly seen as bleeding gums. Gingivitis is not so serious and can be easily be treated and reversible with a Scaling and Polishing at the Dental Clinic. Periodontitis is not so easily treated and quite serious as it is the first step of your tooth beginning to shake and eventually you will lose it unless you do some serious periodontal surgery. I am sure you will find lots of information on this topic on the internet so I am not touching on the aspect of you losing your teeth in this blog BUT want to share some important considerations of Periodontal Disease or Periodontitis with you.

The most important message I want to share on this Blog is if you have periodontitis or gum disease that means you have a Bacteria Problem in your mouth. Obviously you already know we have millions of bacteria in the mouth and that is normal. However, the normal bacteria in our mouth is made up of good and bad bacteria. And the correct balance of composition of these good and bad type of bacteria is what is needed to keep our oral or dental health in a stable condition. When this balance is disturbed, by having more bad bacteria which is much more active, then we have a Bacteria Problem in our mouth. So next time you think gum disease think Bacteria Problem. Why is this? Because of the following pointers I want to share with you.

By now, you must be aware that gum disease or periodontitis is known to be connected with other diseases in the body. Especially heart disease! More research is coming out these days that other organs and systems in our body too are connected or related to periodontitis. One common disease is Diabetes. It is common known knowledge that when you have Diabetes, you also have gum disease. As a dentist we are always advising our patients on more frequent and stringent care when our patients are diagnosed with Diabetes. Traditionally, we as dentist think that Diabetes is first then the risk of gum disease is second. What if it is the other way? What if the Bad Bacteria in our mouth is the first step of Diabetes? There is a reason for thinking such as the next point I want to share with you is the impact of Bacteria in our Mouth on the Bacteria in Gut. Which is in our intestines. What we commonly call Microbiome in our Gastrointestinal Tract (Gut Microbiome). Microbiome is a word used to describe the cocktail of all the microscopic organisms which can be bacteria, fungus, virus and other such micro organism.

I am not going into details about Gut Bacteria here as you can find lots of information on the internet. But this point you need to know. The oral or mouth bacteria influences the Gut Bacteria. And if the gut bacteria is not in a good status or balance or ideal composition then you will have a host of health problems. Traditionally, it was known to be a major cause of constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and other intestinal conditions. Even some Intestinal Cancers. Now more research is coming out that shows the Gut bacteria is connected with many other diseases not even related to out Intestines like metabolic disorders, weight management (obesity) , liver disorders, skin conditions (especially on the face!). I leave you to explore on the internet about the research that is there about gut bacteria and other mental and physical conditions. Yes, even mental state of health!

But coming back to dentist and regular visits to the Dental Clinic, you need to know that your Oral and Dental Status is very important and key to the other health conditions in your body. So do not take it for granted that you have no pain, or no cavities that all is well. Your bacteria composition could have changed and you could be in the first step of both periodontal disease and other related diseases that are yet to show symptoms.

The blog is not indented to scare you but to awaken you to the fact that you better take your Oral Condition seriously if you are serious about your overall health. And regular Dental Check-up and Scaling is mandatory with your Dentist.

It is no more just about about your Teeth and Smile, it is about your Health and preventing major diseases in your Body. Even your Mental Health status is affected!