Apart from the cosmetic disadvantages associated with poor care of your teeth, poor oral hygiene can put your general well-being at considerable risk.
Your oral health is not only a consequence of your dental hygiene. It helps you to identify what else might not be right with your body. From the simple soft tissue in your mouth to the condition of your teeth, dentists, like those who work for hamptonsdental.com, can identify problems in your body.
How Your Oral Health Can Affect Your Whole Body
Many common oral health diseases and conditions have been associated with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and lung problems. These are just a few of the problems that can result from poor oral health. The following is an in-depth look at how dental health can affect your entire body.
The Problem with Dental Plaque
Although saliva provides powerful protection against a variety of intruders, it cannot always do the job. Over 500 different species of bacteria can live in the mouth at any given opportunity. These organisms constantly form plaque, a sticky and colorless film. This substance sticks to your teeth and helps to create health problems for your body.
Your Mouth as an Infection Source
If you do not take the necessary steps to keep your teeth clean, i.e. brushing and flossing, then this plaque will build up along your gums. Plaque deposits create an environment in which other bacteria can thrive, leading to gingivitis. If you continue to neglect your teeth, gum inflammation can lead to periodontitis or, worse, to trench mouth.
These conditions are centralized in your mouth and although bacteria do not normally enter your bloodstream, a lack of dental care can provide access for these microbes. These bacteria in a healthy bloodstream usually do not cause any harm, but they can cause serious damage to a weakened immune system.
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Periodontitis: The Gateway to Other Conditions
Periodontitis, simply known as gum disease, will feel like a film on your teeth and around your lips. If periodontitis occurs, it can be identified by its symptoms – but it can also cause other complaints. It often plays a role in the following diseases:
- Gum disease can be caused by diabetes, as high blood sugar can cause infections in your gums. On the other hand, periodontitis can cause inflammation that can affect your body’s ability to use insulin and regulate blood sugar.
- Heart disease has been associated with gum disease. Both diseases have common risk factors, including poor diet, smoking, and weight gain. As with diabetes, the inflammation that causes periodontitis can lead to heart problems because it constricts the blood vessels.
- Studies have shown that people who suffer from osteoporosis are more prone to periodontitis than others. However, it is still unclear whether gum disease weakens the bones outside the jaw and mouth area and causes osteoporosis.
- Several people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis have reported that their symptoms have been relieved by the treatment of their gum disease.
- Although periodontitis does not cause lung disease, it can make it worse. This allows more bacteria to enter the lungs, aggravating diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia.
- Periodontitis cannot cause obesity, but it can occur more easily in patients who have a higher body fat percentage.
How To Take Care of Your Teeth?
People tend to view their oral health as something separate from the health of their entire body. The links above show how all the systems in our body are connected. Don’t just worry about your oral hygiene. Take care of your teeth and gums by taking care of your whole body and protect your organs by taking care of your teeth and gums.
Start with the simple steps. Brush and floss every day of your life. Move around, eat properly and make wise decisions to take complete care of your mouth and body.
