Everyone is on their toes ensuring that no one in their family gets infected with Covid-19. Aside from wearing your mask whenever you go out, practicing social distancing, and washing your hands with soap and water, another way to beat this deadly virus is to strengthen your immune system. Therefore, you should prioritize your immune health and do whatever you can to keep it strong while this pandemic is still ongoing.  

Did you know that keeping your mouth healthy helps boost your immune system? If you have a decayed tooth, impacted wisdom teeth in Greenville, SC, or gum disease, you make sure it is taken care of to keep your immune system in good fighting condition. 

What Oral Health Conditions Affect Your Immune System?

Wisdom Tooth Infection

Your third molars are commonly known as wisdom teeth and typically surface during your early twenties. The average mouth size cannot accommodate all four wisdom teeth. Therefore, they may erupt from abnormal angles and causing problems like: 

• Pushing against the rest of your teeth 
• Partially breaking through your gums 
• Creating an infection 

The most common problem is dental impaction, wherein the tooth grows sideways, possibly never erupting at all. Plaque and food debris could accumulate in the partially erupted tooth, increasing your risk of an oral infection, called pericoronitis.  

Pericoronitis affects eighty-one percent of the population between the ages twenty and twenty-nine years old. 

For impacted wisdom teeth, your dentist may recommend they be extracted. This procedure is considered surgical, so you’ll likely be referred to an oral surgeon.  

Gum Disease

Aside from causing tooth decay, plaque and bacteria could cause your gums to be infected and inflamed. The early form of gum disease is known as gingivitis. Luckily, gingivitis can still be reversed by regular brushing, flossing, and professionally cleanings.  

The more advanced form of gum disease is known as periodontitis. This cannot be reversed, but it can be managed through medications and treatment.  

Your immune system is responsible for getting rid of the bacteria causing the infection. The inflammation will trigger your immune system to take action. When your immune system is healthy the symptoms are only mild but when you’re unhealthy, the infection will progress into a disease. An example of this is periodontal disease.  

How Does Oral Infection Affect Your Body?

If you are experiencing an oral health problem, your immune system will focus primarily on your mouth, putting less attention on other parts of your body. This may compromise your body’s comprehensive ability to fight outside infections.  

You should strive to keep your mouth healthy and infection-free so your immune system can take care of the rest of your body.  

How Can You Strengthen Your Immune System?

When your immune system is strong, bacterial invasion cannot compromise your health. How then can you keep your immune system strong?  

We recommend you: 

• Learn how to successfully manage your stress 
• Exercise at least three times a week 
• Maintain a healthy weight 
• Get enough sleep 
• Brush and floss your teeth daily to keep plaque under control 
• Have your impacted wisdom teeth extracted to reduce your risk of developing an oral infection 
• Visit your dentist regularly for dental exam and cleaning.  

You should also consider improving your lifestyle. If you’re a smoker, now is the best time to quit. Also, limit your consumption of sugary and starchy food, excessive amounts of alcohol, and acidic drinks.  

Are You Worried About Impacted Wisdom Teeth in Greenville, SC?

Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent impacted wisdom teeth from happening. However, you can make it a priority to see your dentist regularly, at least once every six months, to have your teeth checked and cleaned. These regular visits will give your dentist the chance to monitor your wisdom teeth and their growth.  

You may also be asked to take X-rays to verify if wisdom teeth are, in fact, impacted. Symptoms of impacted wisdom tooth infection can be see in the following: 

• Bad breath 
• Swelling around the jaw 
• Difficulty opening the mouth 
• Bad breath 
• Tender and bleeding gums 
• Swollen gums 
• Unpleasant taste in your mouth 

If you think you have an impacted wisdom tooth, but are unsure, feel free to visit our clinic and we’ll check and assess your mouth.  

At Pelham Links Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we use state-of-the-art techniques and modern technology in providing personalized and comprehensive dental care to all our patients. Our motivated team is experienced and skilled to deliver the highest standards of care. If you want to know more about our services, give us a call.