There is much more to oral health than just the condition of the mouth, teeth, and gums. Poor dental health can have detrimental effects on the entire body because the mouth is the main entrance into the body. Aches in the teeth, bleeding gums, and bad breath are all signs of poor oral health. Mouth bacteria can easily enter the circulation, where it can spread and cause infection and inflammation.
In order to prevent major harm to the body's general health, it's critical to practice good dental hygiene and visit your dentist frequently.
Here are a few typical and severe health issues resulting from poor oral hygiene:
Chronic Heart Disease
A person's risk for heart disease increases if they have poor dental health. The bacteria that causes periodontal disease can actually enter the bloodstream if the gums are inflamed, causing the arteries to stiffen and build up plaque.
Atherosclerosis is a highly dangerous condition that refers to the hardening of the arteries. It increases the risk of having a heart attack and causes issues with blood flow and heart obstructions. Hypertension and an elevated risk of strokes might result from the harmful effect on the arteries and blood vessels. When the lining of the heart becomes infected, endocarditis, a condition that frequently results in death, can also manifest.
Luckily, regular dental cleanings and good oral hygiene can help you avoid gum disease. By doing so, you'll lower your risk of cardiovascular disease and maintain the strength and health of your grin.
Dementia
The brain can be affected by poor oral health. Infected gums can emit substances that can really harm brain cells and cause memory loss. Gingivitis can cause dementia and possibly even Alzheimer's disease when oral bacteria migrate to the bloodstream or nerve pathways.
Respiratory illnesses
Inadequate oral health can have an adverse effect on the respiratory system. The circulation or inhalation of oral bacteria from infected teeth and swollen gums can carry the bacteria to the lungs. Once there, the germs can cause COPD, acute bronchitis, pneumonia, and respiratory infections.
Diabetes
Infections like infected gums that cause periodontal disease are already more common among diabetics, and periodontal disease itself can make diabetes more challenging to manage. Gum disease causes blood sugar levels to fluctuate, which can exacerbate symptoms. For diabetics, maintaining good dental health is crucial to avoiding problems from their diabetes. A person with poor oral health is more likely to acquire diabetes because gum disease might result in blood sugar levels that are higher than usual.
Pregnancy Complications
For expecting mothers, maintaining proper dental hygiene is essential. Oral infections can strike women significantly more quickly while they are pregnant due to hormonal changes in the body. The mother is more likely to experience pregnancy difficulties if she has an infection. Periodontitis and gingivitis, two conditions that affect the mother's oral health, have been linked to preterm birth and low birth weight in babies. Gum disease increases the likelihood of major health problems for both the mother and the infant.
Infertility
There is a connection between women's infertility issues and poor oral health. Gum disease can result in a number of general health problems that can make it harder for a woman to get pregnant and maintain a healthy pregnancy. In fact, getting pregnant may take a woman with bad dental health longer than it may a woman with good tooth health.
Erection problems
Men who practice poor dental hygiene are more likely to experience erectile dysfunction. It is well established that ED and chronic periodontal disease are connected. When gums separate from teeth, pockets are formed that contain germs and allow the infection to migrate to the bone surrounding the tooth. This condition is known as CPD. Blood vessels can become irritated when bacteria from unhealthy gums enters the bloodstream. Erections may be harder to get or perhaps impossible to get as a result of this inflammation's potential to obstruct blood flow to the genitals.
Cancer
Gum illness has also been connected to other types of cancer, despite the fact that it is obvious that bad oral health habits like smoking or using tobacco products can result in oral and throat malignancies. People with poor dental health are substantially more likely to get kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, and blood malignancies.
Renal disease
The kidneys, heart, bones, and blood pressure are all negatively impacted by chronic renal disease, a major medical condition. Kidney illness can be brought on by bodily infections like periodontal disease. Gum disease patients typically have weakened immune systems and are more prone to infection. Many patients who have kidney disease also have very poor dental health. If renal failure or cardiovascular disease develops, kidney disease may be fatal.
Arthritis rheumatoid
People with gum disease were four times more likely to have rheumatoid arthritis, according to the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society. Both illnesses are characterized by inflammation. Gingivitis-related oral bacteria can worsen inflammation throughout the body. As a result, there is a significantly increased risk of contracting the painful and crippling inflammatory disease rheumatoid arthritis.
Prevention
The best method to avoid significant health problems brought on by poor oral hygiene is to practice proper oral hygiene and visit your dentist on a regular basis.
To maintain proper dental hygiene:
- At least twice daily, brush your teeth and gums for two minutes.
- Each day, floss your teeth.
- Avoid using tobacco products for either smoking or chewing.
- Fluoride-containing toothpaste and mouthwash are recommended.
- Eat and drink less sweet things.
- For the best nourishment, eat a balanced diet.
- Consider using supplements to improve your oral health.
- Clean teeth are free of disease and suffering brought on by cavities. Pink, healthy gums do not bleed when being brushed or flossed.
An indication of general health is oral health. Gingivitis and periodontal disease can be prevented, and doing so can significantly reduce the risk of more severe health issues throughout the body.