October 2024
National Dental Hygiene Month is upon us and your primary care office, as well as our Wood River Health dental team, want you to know that healthy teeth and gums are important to more than just your dental health. While routine dental care prevents cavities and tooth loss, poor oral health can directly affect other body systems, including heart health, cancer risks, systemic infection risks, and your ability to eat healthy foods.
Dental hygiene practices, such as flossing and brushing, can help prevent bacteria from growing in your mouth, though regular dental visits are imperative to maintaining your oral health. Dentists and dental hygienists recommend dental exams and cleanings at least every six months. At Block Island Health Services, we are lucky to have a new dental care partner. Wood River Health’s Dr. Liu and his dental team are currently coming to Block Island twice per month to provide dental care in our brand-new dental suite. They are accepting new patients of all ages for cleanings and dental health management. They accept all dental plans and have a sliding scale option for individuals who have no dental health insurance.
Oral health includes regular brushing and flossing and having regular dental check-ups. Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral that helps to strengthen the outer, enamel layer of the teeth, is a common part of oral health management, but declining this treatment is an option. The purpose of fluoride treatments is to make enamel more resistant to cavities. Many public water systems add fluoride to their water to help prevent dental decay; however, there is no fluoride in the Block Island water system.
There is a strong connection between your oral hygiene and your overall health. Many studies have shown a relationship between gum disease and heart disease, stroke, diabetes and dementia. Bacteria from your mouth can move easily through the bloodstream, which can lead to blood vessel inflammation and systemic infection (sepsis), bacterial pneumonia, and endocarditis, which is an infection of the heart.
Many studies suggest that individuals aged between 54 and 86 have an increased risk of cancer if they have gum disease. In women, gum disease increases the risk of breast cancer, and both men and women with poor oral health are at increased risk of skin, lung, and gallbladder cancer.
Here are some tips to maintaining good oral hygiene, recommended by primary care and dental providers: eat healthy food and avoid sugary snacks and soda, brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once, and rinse your mouth with mouthwash after brushing. Discuss with your dental team if fluoride is recommended in your dental care routine, as some toothpastes do not contain fluoride, and the island does not have fluoridated water. This is especially important for the care of your child’s developing teeth. Anyone playing contact sports is recommended to wear a mouth guard to protect from dental injury. Lastly, remember to schedule dental cleanings and exams at least every six months. They can recommend more frequent visits as needed for your situation.
Good oral hygiene makes everyone more confident about smiling, talking, and eating healthy foods. Taking care of your teeth means never having to avoid crunchy foods like apples, nor having to avoid chewing in certain areas of your mouth. So, grin, yap, and crunch away with your clean and healthy smile!
The Wood River Health dental team is currently providing care at Block Island Health Services two Mondays per month. You can learn more about their services at https://woodriverhealth.org/services/dental-care. New patients who wish to enroll for dental care at BIHS can schedule an appointment by calling Wood River Health at (401) 539-2461.
Laurie Anderson, APRN-C, CDOE