Poor dental health linked with serious medical conditions
Poor Dental Health Linked With Serious Medical Conditions
Oral and dental health is an important part of your well-being and overall body health. Bad oral hygiene can bring about gum disease, dental cavities, and has also been associated with diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Maintaining healthy gums and teeth is a lifelong endeavour. The more you practice good oral hygiene habits, for example, meeting your sugar intake, flossing and brushing – the more you would avoid long-term health issues and expensive dental procedures.
You may be aware of how poor oral hygiene can cause dental cavities but do you know that it can also lead to other medical conditions? The fact is, if you do not take oral hygiene seriously or visit a dentist near you regularly, you could battle more serious condition than some unsightly stains or a toothache.
What are the medical conditions poor dental health has been linked to?
1. Rheumatoid arthritis: patients with gum disease are four times more likely to have rheumatoid arthritis, according to the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society. The bacteria that causes gingivitis can increase inflammation throughout the body, which increases the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (painful inflammatory diseases).
2.Kidney disease: this is a serious medical condition that doesn’t only affect the kidney but also blood pressure, the heart, and bones. Diseases like periodontitis have been linked to kidney disease. This is because individuals with gum disease typically have weak immune systems – which makes them more prone to infections.
A lot of patients who suffer from kidney disease also suffer from poor oral health. Kidney disease can be fatal and can lead to cardiovascular disease or kidney failure. So, it’s time to pop out the floss and get flossing.
3.Cancer: poor oral health practices like using tobacco products or smoking can cause throat and oral cancer – they can also cause other types of cancer as well. Studies show that the risk of blood cancers, pancreatic cancer, and kidney cancer is higher in individuals who have poor oral health.
4. Erectile dysfunction (ED): a man with poor oral hygiene is at increased risk of suffering from erectile dysfunction. Chronic periodontal disease has been linked with ED. Chronic periodontal disease happens when gum tissues pull away from the teeth, which creates holes bacteria to spread to the bone surrounding the teeth. These materials get into the bloodstream and make blood vessels inflamed. This inflammation, in turn, blocks blood flow to the genitals, making erections difficult or impossible to achieve.
5. Infertility: poor dental health has been linked to problems with infertility in women. Gum disease has been known to cause overall health issues that can make it more difficult for a woman to conceive and undergo a healthy pregnancy. In addition, it might also take longer for a woman with poor oral health to conceive than a woman with good dental health.
6.Respiratory tract infection: poor oral health care can also cause the respiratory system to suffer. Bacteria in the mouth from swollen gums and infected teeth can be pushed into the lungs when you breathe in – or get there via the bloodstream. Once these bacteria get to the respiratory system it can cause COPD, respiratory infections, acute bronchitis, and even pneumonia.
7.Dementia: if the bacteria that cause gingivitis enter the brain by a nerve channel or through the bloodstream, it can lead to the development of degenerative’s diseases like Alzheimer’s.
8.Cardiovascular disease: in simple terms, heart disease. Bacteria that cause periodontitis and lead to the inflammation of the gums can enter your bloodstream and travel to the arteries in the heart and cause atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
Arteriosclerosis causes plaques to form on the inner walls of the arteries – when they thicken, it decreases or blocks blood flow to the body. This can lead to an increased risk of stroke or heart attack. In addition, the inner lining of the heart can also become inflamed or infected (endocarditis).
Healthy gum and teeth for a healthy life
It basically boils down to this, good oral hygiene can keep your smile bright and, as a bonus, it could also prevent serious illnesses.
To maintain good oral health, good oral hygiene practices need to be done daily. So, it’s wise you do the following:
● Limit sugary drinks and snacks
● Brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day.
● Maintain a balanced diet – high in fiber, plenty of fruit and vegetables, low-fat and low-sugar diet.
● Floss at least once a day – great for preventing cavities.
● Avoid tobacco products
● Get dental cleaning at least every six months with your Dentist In Grand Blanc
