Healthy Families | Why Dental Health Matters Beyond Your Teeth
Can problems with your teeth and gums affect your overall health?
Many people think of dental care as something separate from their medical care. But your oral health can be related to other areas of your health, including diabetes, heart health, and pregnancy.
With the holiday season approaching, it’s also a good time to make sure your family is up to date on recommended medical and dental checkups.
Jenee Newman, Dental Quality and Community Outreach Supervisor at Omni Family Health, joins our Healthy Families segment to discuss why preventive dental care matters, what warning signs to watch for, and how having medical and dental providers working together can benefit patients.
Why Regular Dental Checkups Matter
Routine dental appointments help identify problems before they become more serious.
Red or swollen gums, bleeding, tooth sensitivity, and persistent discomfort can all be warning signs that something needs attention.
Ignoring these symptoms can allow dental problems to progress, sometimes leading to more extensive treatment.
Even when your mouth feels healthy, regular examinations can help detect issues that may not yet be causing pain.
The Connection Between Oral Health and Your Overall Health
Your mouth is part of your body, and oral health conditions can be related to other medical concerns.
For example, people with diabetes have a greater risk of developing gum disease, and untreated gum disease may make blood sugar management more difficult.
Research has also identified associations between gum disease and cardiovascular conditions, although a direct cause-and-effect relationship has not been established.
During pregnancy, hormonal changes can increase the likelihood of gum inflammation, making regular dental care especially important.
Understanding these relationships is one reason Omni Family Health encourages patients to prioritize both medical and dental care.
Why Having Medical and Dental Care Together Helps
At Omni Family Health, medical and dental providers can communicate about relevant patient information and coordinate care when needed.
This can be especially useful when a patient has medical conditions or takes medications that may influence dental treatment.
Having both services within the same organization can also make it easier for families to ask questions, discuss concerns, and access appropriate care.
Omni Family Health’s The Hidden Connection initiative provides additional information about the relationship between oral health and overall health, along with a way to request a dental consultation.
To schedule an appointment, explore Omni Family Health’s dental services or find a health center near you.
You can also call or text 866-707-OMNI (6664).