Health Beat

There are many reasons people don’t like going to the dentist, but dental care is essential for our wellbeing. Our mouths are literally the entryway to our bodies, so keeping our teeth and gums healthy is step one to our health. It’s known that gum disease can lead to heart disease. Bacteria from diseased gums can get into our bloodstream, causing hardening of the arteries. That same bacteria can raise the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and make diabetes more difficult to manage. That’s why it’s important to have regular care. Which is just one reason dentists are concerned about a trend they’re seeing with younger patients, triggered by social media influencers: DIY dental care. Everything from orthodontics to filing one’s teeth is being celebrated. As Albany dentist Dr. Kendra Zappia explains, these at-home procedures can lead to infection, tooth loss, and long-term sensitivity. In short, leave it to the trained professionals. Even tooth-whitening products can lead to sensitivity issues, she explains, also pointing out that underlying infection can be aggravated by these products and, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. So, make the appointment and then stick to a tried-and-true plan of dental care. As a dental hygienist used to say, you only have to floss the teeth you want to keep. In my book, that’s ALL of them.

Benita Zahn, Dps-bioethics 518-207-4820 / Bzahn@wnyt.com Facebook.com/benitazahn Instagram.com/benitatv13

Watch Benita interview Capital Region health experts at wnyt.com/health