Most people don't see the link between oral and overall health. But research shows that oral health affects your overall health more than you might think. Taking care of your teeth makes you look better and makes your whole body healthier.
The Connection Between Good Oral Health and Good Health in General
Bacteria are everywhere in our mouths. This is normal, and most of them won't hurt you. Brushing and flossing your teeth daily keeps the number of bacteria in check. But if you don't take care of your mouth, problems can happen. Acids are made when the bacteria in your mouth combine with the sugar in food. These acids attack the tooth and cause cavities, gum disease, tooth decay, and periodontitis, leading to infections that spread to other body parts. Here are some health problems from not taking care of your teeth.
Heart Disease Causes Heart Attacks And Strokes
Plaque builds up if you don't brush and floss your teeth daily. This can make you more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. Arteries can be blocked by more than just cholesterol. The American Heart Foundation did a study and found that the bacteria in oral plaque can cause arteries to become blocked. Plaque can get into the bloodstream and get stuck in a heart artery. This can cause a stroke.
Endocarditis Is A Heart Disease
When bacteria form colonies in the mouth, they attack the teeth and gums, leading to gingivitis (gum disease). When you have gingivitis, your gums bleed. When that happens, bacteria move into the bloodstream and can go to other body parts. When a colony gets to the heart, it can cause an infection of the inner lining of your heart chambers or valves called endocarditis.
Diabetes
Diabetes can also be made worse by gum disease. Periodontitis is a severe dental problem in which the gums become so inflamed that they pull away from the teeth and leave gaps. These cracks can quickly get sick. Periodontitis makes it harder for someone with diabetes to absorb insulin medication, which lowers blood sugar levels. In turn, high blood sugar for a long time makes mouth infections worse, which worsens inflammation. It's a never-ending cycle. Because of this, people with diabetes need to take care of their teeth.
Pneumonia
Air enters your lungs through your mouth. If you have a lot of harmful bacteria in your mouth, they can quickly get into your lungs, where they can cause pneumonia or other breathing problems. The elderly, in particular, should continue to care for their teeth, even if they have dentures because diseases like pneumonia can be deadly for older people.
Pregnancy Can Be Affected By Dental Problems
Pregnant women know that they should take prenatal vitamins, avoid certain foods, and get regular checkups. They might not know that their dental health can affect their pregnancy and their unborn child. In addition to going to the gynecologist, pregnant women should also go to the dentist for a checkup.
Having more pregnancy hormones can make dental problems worse. Even scarier is that there is evidence that periodontitis makes babies more likely to be born early or with low birth weight. Taking care of your teeth during pregnancy is crucial to keeping yourself and your baby safe.
HIV Patients Who Have Bad Oral Health Are More Likely To Get Sick
People having HIV are more likely to get infections, and the problems caused by these infections can be fatal. Due to a weakened immune system, even minor infections can spread quickly. Because of this, people with HIV need to be extra careful about all parts of their health, including their dental health.
When a person with HIV doesn't take care of their teeth and gums, they are more likely to get infections that can hurt their health. More than 30 oral diseases have been linked to HIV. People with HIV and AIDS often have oral problems like painful mouth ulcers called mucosal lesions. Several of the antiviral drugs used to treat HIV also cause dry mouth. When there is less saliva in the mouth, the teeth aren't as protected from getting cavities.
Your mouth is where the rest of your body comes in. Food, liquids, air, and germs get into the body through the mouth. Don't forget how much your oral health affects your health as a whole. Scientists keep learning more about the link between oral health and diabetes, and heart disease. Taking care of your teeth is an important thing you can do to decrease your risk of getting sick in other ways. You can visit our dental clinic and be free of all these health related issues.