If you don’t practice good oral hygiene, you may end up with cavities, gum disease, and other dental complications. These issues are obviously already bad enough by themselves, but did you know they could potentially have a negative impact on the rest of your body? Poor dental health could put you at risk for a number of medical problems; your preventive dentist is here with 5 particularly noteworthy examples.
1. Heart Problems
Gum disease is an infection of the soft tissues protecting your teeth. If harmful bacteria are in your gums, they may enter your bloodstream and cause inflammation of the blood vessels. This could ultimately lead to narrowed arteries, an infection of the heart valves, and an increased chance of suffering from a stroke or a heart attack.
2. Respiratory Illness
If you’re suffering from poor oral health, chances are that a lot of harmful bacteria are living in your mouth. It’s possible to inadvertently breathe in some of these bacteria, allowing them to travel to your lungs and cause an infection. This can ultimately result in bronchitis, pneumonia, and other respiratory illnesses.
3. Diabetes
Believe it or not, gum disease can make it more difficult to control your blood sugar levels, thus leaving you more likely to develop diabetes. Conversely, diabetes hinders your body’s ability to fight infections, which makes you more susceptible to gum disease. In other words, gum disease and diabetes have the potential to make each other significantly worse.
4. Dementia
There’s evidence that the bacteria in your mouth could potentially reach the brain via the bloodstream. Furthermore, studies have found that said bacteria might potentially be a contributing factor for dementia. Simply put, the health of your mouth could end up impacting the health of your mind.
5. Cancer
While a direct causal link has yet to be confirmed, research has shown that there’s a possible connection between certain kinds of cancer and gum disease. One study found that people with severe periodontitis were 24% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer – particularly pancreatic cancer.
What to Do to Protect Your Oral and Overall Health
After learning about medical problems that can be linked to poor oral health, you are most likely wondering what you can do to protect your smile as well as the rest of your body. One of the most important things you can do is take proper care of your mouth by brushing two times a day, flossing daily, and breaking bad oral habits like chewing your fingernails. On top of that, don’t forget to visit your dentist twice a year; they can catch and treat oral health issues in their earliest stages before they pose a threat to the rest of your body.
About the Author
Dr. Shane Smith studied dentistry at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. He strives to make his appointments stress-free for his patients and is able to offer a wide range of personalized dental services. At his practice in Jonesboro, he provides the quality preventive dentistry that people need to keep their smiles healthy. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Smith, visit his website or call (870) 932-2644.