Denver dentist Dr. Scott Greenhalgh has been practicing for decades. That experience has allowed him to understand the various complicated ways in which your dental health is tied up with your overall well-being.
In short, your dental health plays a significant role in determining the quality of your general health and well-being. That’s why it’s crucial to practice sound dental hygiene and to see your dentist at least twice a year for cleanings and check-ups.
If you’re looking for a skilled, experienced dentist in the Denver, Colorado, area, please call Scott Greenhalgh, DDS today at 303-988-9060.
Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body
Dentists and health officials across the world have long recognized the ways in which dental health and general health are linked. Much of this linkage is related to the bacteria in your mouth. You have a staggeringly large amount of bacteria in your mouth, and most of it is perfectly normal and healthy. However, some of it is harmful, and if the harmful bacteria are left untreated than your gums and teeth aren’t the only parts of your body that might pay the price.
Bacteria that live in your mouth can be introduced into your lungs and blood stream every time you breathe in. This is especially problematic if you’re suffering from gum disease. Conditions that dentists and other health professionals have linked to your oral health include:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Premature birth
- Low birth weights
- Pneumonia
- Osteoporosis
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
One of the most common and debilitating ways the state of your mouth can affect your entire body is through the development of temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ. This problem develops when a misaligned jaw or bite causes irritation in the joint that connects your jaw to your lower skull.
Our dentist has seen how this irritation is then transmitted throughout the entire area by a complex, inter-connected system of nerves, ligaments, muscles and bones. The most common results of TMJ is headaches, but other symptoms our Denver-area patients have reported include:
- Tinnitus
- Upper back pain
- Shoulder pain
- Neck pain
- Hearing loss
TMJ, then, is a particularly clear example of the connection between your teeth and the rest of your body. Problems in your teeth and gums won’t stay there; they can affect your body in ways you never imagined.
Fortunately, the widespread problems associated with poor dental health are easily preventable by keeping your teeth and gums healthy. And that’s a simple matter of oral hygiene and frequent visits to the dentist’s office.
Dr. Greenhalgh is committed to a holistic approach to dentistry. He’ll examine you thoroughly, help you catch problems early and work with you to develop a treatment plan that is right for you.
If you live in the Denver, Colorado area and you’re looking for a dentist who understands all the ways in which your dental health affects your entire body, please contact Scott Greenhalgh, DDS today at 303-988-9060.
