How ORAL HEALTH affects the rest of you

The impact of sugar and sugary drinks on our teeth has been drummed into us since we were children asking for more soft drinks and lollies, but research is now showing that the relationship between our diet and dental health goes far deeper.

Gum disease – the most common chronic inflammatory condition in the world – is linked to diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Gruesome images on cigarette packs have also shown us the relationship between smoking and gum disease.

The good news is that with diabetes, when you treat gum disease, your need for insulin is reduced. And vice versa: if you control your diabetes, the condition in your mouth has been shown to immediately improve.

‘But it’s far better to prevent diseases such as diabetes than to treat them once you have the problem.’ says New Leaf Dentists’ Dr Rouel Vergara. ‘Just as you would go for a regular check up with your GP as a preventative measure or to nip any problems in the bud, it is equally important to be proactive in preventing issues such as gum disease and dental decay. When you go for your six-monthly check-up, they are things we specifically look for.’ newleafdentists.com.au

A healthy diet and good oral hygiene will do much to avoid plaque build-up and the resulting cavities, gingivitis or severe gum disease.

Brushing, flossing, and regular visits to the dentist can protect children and adults from tooth decay (cavities) – the most common chronic childhood disease – but these good habits can protect far more than cavities.

Even in healthy individuals, your diet and nutrition affect the health of all the tissues in your mouth. And, again, vice versa: the health of your mouth affects how well nutrients are absorbed.

A growing body of research – some of which is still being done with mice – has identified connections between prolonged exposure to gum bacteria and chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s, insulin resistance and glucose intolerance.

‘If you’re on medication that increases “dry mouth”, you are at an increased risk of gum-related diseases,’ says Dr Rouel.

If that isn’t enough to send you off for your six-monthly dental check-up, give a thought to what poor dental health also does to your appearance or even to your speech, eroding self-esteem in social settings and in the workplace, and stopping you from smiling a big cheesy grin in photographs.

Healthy mouth; healthy, happy human … it’s not so far-fetched.

The beauty of closely guided Pilates is that a highly experienced teacher analyses your individual muscle movements and what your body needs to become stronger, fitter and more flexible.

Our fully equipped Pilates studio lets you gently re-awaken your body and helps repair the damage life does to us all. Visit us for an initial consultation.

We have a group studio for Reformer classes, Clinical Pilates Studio, private or small group classes and Pilates mat classes. We also offer government accredited qualifications in Pilates teacher training. Pilates is for every-body.