How Dental Health Affects Overall Health

February 3, 2010

Interview with Dr. Linda Vidone, Associate Dental Director of Dentaquest

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Mike Carruthers:
Are you aware that your dental health is related to the health of your entire body, specifically if you develop gum disease or periodontal disease?

Dr. Linda Vidone:
Periodontal disease is associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, pulmonary disease, osteoporosis. So by preventing periodontal disease you’re helping your whole body.

Dr. Linda Vidone, Associate Dental Director for Dentaquest, says the way to prevent gum disease or tooth decay is something you’ve heard a million times before.

Brush, floss, eat healthy, fruits, vegetables, go see the dentist, get your cleanings.

But there are some other things you should be aware of. For example; red wine is better than white wine as far as your teeth are concerned because white wine is more acidic and has more sugars.

White wine erodes the tooth’s protective enamel structure and it makes the tooth more suspecitlbe to hot, cold and sweet foods. And as is with wine you always want to rinse your mouth out with water after you drink and before you brush your teeth to help remove some of the sugars.

Have you ever wondered why kids get cavities but they become less of a problem as we get older?

As you get older you’re more susceptible to gum disease after age 30 the bacteria changes in your mouth and that’s why adults lose teeth more due to gum disease than tooth decay.
 

To hear the complete unedited interview, click here