You may have heard of the mind-body connection, but what about the mouth-body connection?

To many people, a dental visit is about getting their teeth cleaned, having a tooth pulled, or getting a filling. However, a dental visit is not just about teeth. It is also about your overall health. What goes on in your mouth can affect the rest of your body. What goes on in your body also can have an effect on your mouth.

Many diseases and conditions can affect your oral health. For example, people may get more infections in the mouth if their immune system is weak. The immune system protects your body from illness and infection.

It can be weakened by disease, by drugs taken to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs, or as a side effect of cancer chemotherapy drugs.

Medicine for other conditions also can affect the health of your mouth. For example, many drugs cause dry mouth. This can increase your risk of dental decay and yeast infections. It also can affect taste.

While examining your mouth, your dentist might see a sign or symptom of an illness or disease that you might not even know you have. The dentist may perform tests and/or refer you to a specialist for treatment.

If you have certain medical conditions, you may need specialized oral and dental care. If necessary, your dentist can refer you to an expert in oral medicine.

Your oral health also can affect other medical conditions. For example, if you are diabetic, a mouth infection can disrupt your blood-sugar levels and make your diabetes harder to control. Researchers also are exploring whether periodontal (gum) disease may increase the risk of various medical problems. These may include heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and premature births.

About 35 percent of U.S. adults have some form of periodontitis. Another 50 percent have gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease. Because gum disease is so common, its treatment and management can have important implications for overall public health.

Friday at 10 a.m. the Senior Center is hosting an Oral Hygiene class. If you would like to learn more about how your mouth affects your entire body and best practices come to this free class. Call 433-2370 ext. 0 to sign up. Walk-ins welcome.

 Upcoming Events

Monday: Blood pressure checks, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Bridge), 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Silver Sneakers, 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m;; Tai Chi 4 p.m.; Zumba Gold, 4 p.m.; SilverSneakers, 4:30 p.m.; Zumba, 5:30 p.m.; Movie: “My Sisters Keeper,” 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Wood Carvers, 8:30 a.m.; Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Cribbage,  Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m., Stitching Bees, 1 p.m.; open chess, 1 p.m.; Diabetes Class, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: SilverSneakers, 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; Investment Club,10 a.m.;cards (Pinochle), 12:30 p.m.; Bingo, 1 p.m.; open chess, 1 p.m.; Zumba, 4 p.m.; SilverSneakers, 4:30 p.m.; Zumba, 5:30 p.m.

Friday: Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; Oral Hygiene Class, 10 a.m.; cards (Bridge Tournament), 12:30 p.m.

 Weekly Card Results

Monday Bridge Results

Oct. 10 , three tables

1st Judy Bungum, 2nd John Allen, 3rd Jaynard Johnson, 4th Steve Howard, 5th Lois Johnson

Tuesday “500”Results

Oct. 11, four tables

1st Beulah Luthe, 2nd Eddie Hall, 3rd Linda Werner, 4th Patricia Andrews

Tuesday Afternoon Bridge Results

Oct. 11, five tables

1st Bud Higgins, 1st Jim Fisher; 2nd Arne Lang, 2nd Millie Seiver; 3rd Marge Blaser, 3rd Joyce Crowe; 4th  Ella Rouhoff, 4th Connie Johnson

Friday Bridge Results

Oct. 14, four tables

1st Mary Johnson, 2nd Lois Johnson, 3rd Vandy Newman, 4th Loretta Nelson, 5th Betty Jorgenson, 6th John Allen

Pinochle

Tom Lerum, Dave Solomonson

Friday Cribbage Results

Oct. 14, one table

1st Dorothy Schloo

Weekly “500” Results

Oct. 14, three tables

1st  Arnold Bergstrom, 2nd Helen Broitzman, 3rd Fran Bolstad, 4th Eddie Hall

Weekly Cribbage Results

Oct. 12, three tables

1st Lottie Siera, 2nd Mabet Vaale, 3rd Addie Cochlin

Semcac Daily Meals

Monday: Meatloaf

Tuesday: Soup and sandwich

Wednesday: Sweet’n Sour Pork. alt: Beef steak

Thursday: Meat lasagna

Friday: Brat on a bun