I cannot tell you how many times I have sent clients of mine to the dentist. I have been saying for years that oral hygiene affects the overall health and is preventative in certain health conditions. Yesterday’s LA Times Health section stated: long term gum disease “can contribute to diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke, pregnancy complications, and perhaps even Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis and some types of cancers. Infections in the mouth also may increase the risk to people undergoing several types of surgery, including transplantation and cardiac valve replacement.”

If oral hygiene can affect long-term health, do you see how proper oral hygiene could impact simpler conditions like nutritional absorption, intestinal health, immunity to colds and wound healing time—which are the building blocks of good health.

There is an expression, “Do not look a gifted horse in the mouth.” I do not agree. If you are plagued by a physical ailment such as joint pain, low back pain, headaches or digestive problems look to the mouth first.