ORAL HEALTH AND IT’S EFFECT ON YOUR BODY
A DENTIST CAN TELL A LOT FROM YOUR MOUTH!
DENTAL HEALTH AFFECTS BAD BREATH!
Many people are unaware of how significantly your oral health can effect a person’s overall health until they are told by a dentist. Many issues with teeth and gum disease can have more drastic effects on other parts of the body and can increase your susceptibility of contracting various non-tooth-related illnesses. All the more reason to get that toothache checked out!
A FEW REASONS NOT TO SKIMP ON HYGIENE
Lack of dental hygiene can have serious effects on the mind, as your teeth are very close to your brain. Those who don’t brush their teeth regularly are found to be 65% more likely to develop dementia. Bad oral hygiene allows bacteria to grow in the mouth and it easily spread to the bran through the blood stream of the cranial never. Higher rates of alzheimer’s disease have been found in those who lack regular dental hygiene. In studies done on survivors or strokes, certain types of oral bacteria were found in these individuals. These cases demonstrate a serious connection between oral health and mental wellbeing and is all the more reason not to overlook your dental needs.
If your don’t regularly take care of your teeth you are also subject to more common maladies such as tooth decay and gum disease which can require you to get fillings, root canal, or crown treatments. Your local dental clinic can tell you Taking care of your teeth is not only good for your health but keeps you from having to spend money on expensive care that can be prevented by regular brushing and flossing.
HOW TEETH AFFECT YOUR OVERALL HEALTH!
Another part of your body that will likely be effected by your oral health habits is your circulator system. Gum disease is linked with coronary artery disease, doubling your chances of having a serious coronary issue. Bacteria in the mouth can attach to plaque in your arteries which can cause inflammation and increase the chance of clots and artery blockage associated with heart attacks. Endocarditis in an illness that effects the inner lining of the heart and nearby tissue and is caused by germs entering the bloodstream and, although rare, can be fatal. A lack of proper dental hygiene is associated with a higher risk of this type of infection.
MANY CONDITIONS CAUSE ORAL SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Your mouth is a window into what’s going on in the rest of your body, often serving as a helpful vantage point for detecting the early signs and symptoms of systemic disease — a disease that affects or pertains to your entire body, not just one of its parts. Systemic conditions such as AIDS or diabetes, for example, often first become apparent as mouth lesions or other oral problems. In fact, according to the Academy of General Dentistry, more than 90 percent of all systemic diseases produce oral signs and symptoms.
PLAQUE AS CAUSE OF COMMON CONDITIONS?
Long-term gum infection can eventually result in tooth loss. But the consequences may not end there. Recent research suggests that there may be an association between oral infections and diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and childbirth issues. The effects of poor oral hygiene can vary in effect and intensity, causing issues such as:
- Diabetes: If you have diabetes, you’re already at higher risk of suffering from gum disease. Chronic gum disease makes diabetes harder to control. Infections may also cause resistance to insulin
- Cardiovascular disease: Oral inflammation due to gingivitis is know to be linked with clogged arteries and blood clots. Bacteria in the mouth can cause inflammation throughout the body, including arteries. This may cause the development of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries, a buildup of plaque that can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Some research suggests that people with gum infections are also experience an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The severity of the risk tends to correlate to the significance of the infection. Gum disease and tooth loss both contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries. In one study, over 40% percent of participants who’d lost nearly 9 teeth had carotid artery plaque; among those who’d lost 10 or more teeth, over 60 percent of them had such plaque.
- Preterm birth. Severe gum disease may increase the risk of preterm delivery and giving birth to a low birth weight baby. Many estimate that almost 20 percent of preterm babies born in the United States each year are attributed to oral infections. The theory is that oral bacteria release toxins, which reach the placenta through the mother’s bloodstream and interfere with the growth and development of the fetus. At the same time, the oral infection causes the mother to produce labor-triggering substances too quickly, potentially triggering premature labor and birth.
