In our post last week, we talked about what makes a great smile. We discussed how a beautiful smile consists of several factors, including the size, position, and color of the teeth, the relationship of teeth to gums and lips, and the relationship of the smile to the face.

And while a great smile is certainly something that everyone wants and should have, it is only one part of what everyone should want.  Equally as important is having a healthy smile and mouth.

There is no longer any doubt that the effects of dental disease on your health can be serious and even life-threatening.  This week we discuss this other important aspect of your smile—oral and dental wellness.

Here is what you need to know:

Oral and dental wellness and overall health is a concept that consists of several components.

First, increasingly medical evidence is showing the important link of oral health to overall body health.  The mouth serves as a major point of introduction to infections that can enter the body.  If you now have cavities and/or gum disease, especially if it is moderate to severe, studies indicate that germs can invade your body and bloodstream, and affect your immune system, and even your heart.  Evidence is pointing to many illnesses resulting from these types of infections. Thus, an important component of oral and dental wellness is to ensure that your first line of defense (your mouth) is healthy and does not allow infections to enter your body.

Second, aside from infections, the structure of the mouth and teeth are critical to overall well being. The position of the jawbone to relation to the skull can lead to symptoms such as headaches, back aches, neck pain, and other problems. Grinding of teeth due to stress can lead to problems. The position of the jaw during sleep can affect the quality of rest and sleep you get. Thus, another important component of oral and dental wellness is insuring a stable structure of the mouth and teeth to alleviate structural pain issues.

Third, the smile is an important component to self-esteem and the impression you make with others.  As we discussed in our prior blog post, we all appreciate the importance of a great smile, and oral and dental wellness includes the feeling of wellness you get from being happy and proud about your smile.

Finally, oral and dental wellness includes the feeling of pride and comfort you receive in knowing that you are taking care of yourself, your health, and your self-esteem.

As you look to manage the health and care of yourself and your family, consider the importance of not just caring for your smile, but also taking care of your oral and dental wellness.  Make sure to choose a dentist who will work as your trusted advisor on both your smile and your oral and dental wellness. And make sure they provide you with all of the tools and techniques you need to do so. 

You and your family will be healthier, feel better, and look better.

In our upcoming articles, we will be discussing the types of tools and techniques you can use to better manage both your smile and your oral and dental wellness.

Here’s wishing that you and your family achieve oral and dental wellness!

Have any suggestions for what you'd like to see us write about?  Place your comments and suggestions in the comments section.