Lack of good oral hygiene contributes to dental health problems. These dental problems may increase your risk of having chronic diseases. According to studies, fifty percent of the world’s populace are experiencing oral diseases. That’s a lot of people! Therefore, it is vital to understand how your overall health can be at risk if you have dental health issues.
Health Conditions May be Affected By Your Dental Health
Just like a house where the door is your main entry, your mouth is the main access point for bacteria, both harmless and harmful. Without proper oral hygiene, harmful bacteria will grow in abundance and cause oral infections that will travel to other parts of your body. That’s why it will affect not only your oral health but your body’s overall health as well.
The following are some health conditions or progressive disorders and how they are affected by your dental health and vice versa.
Alzheimer’s Disease
This is a common cause of dementia or the progressive decline in a person’s memory. Successive studies found that the bacteria P.gingivalis that causes gum disease can migrate from your mouth to your brain and increase your risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Blood Disorders
These can make your gums more prone to bleeding or becoming pale if you have gum disease. Any dental problem should be properly taken care of to prevent excessive bleeding.
Eating Disorders – Bulimia and Anorexia
These are eating disorders that can cause permanent damage to your gums, teeth, and mouth. Important nutrients such as vitamin B, calcium, and iron boost your oral health. If they are lacking in your diet, your gums and the soft tissues in your mouth may easily bleed. You can have gum disease, tooth decay, and a severely dry mouth because your salivary glands may swell.
The accompanying stomach acid caused by frequent vomiting will flow on your teeth and damage your enamel, change their color, length, and shape. They will also become brittle, translucent, and sensitive to hot and cold foods and drinks.
Celiac and Crohn’s Disease
These are autoimmune diseases that may both cause canker sores because they affect the gastrointestinal tract starting from the mouth. This may be because of an allergic reaction to certain bacteria in your mouth. People with these diseases have an increased incidence of tooth decay and having cavities.
Diabetes
Diabetes can cause persistent and severe dental problems like gum disease or tooth loss because the body’s resistance to bacteria is weakened. Periodontitis, a severe gum disease, can also make it very hard for diabetic people to control their blood sugar levels.
Heart Disease
Endocarditis is an inflammation of your heart’s inner lining that is usually caused by bacteria. Poor dental hygiene can cause bacteria to travel through your bloodstream and increase your chance of having this condition and other life-threatening heart problems like clogged arteries and stroke.
Obesity
Excessive accumulation of fat presents a risk to your dental health, especially from periodontal disease. The fat cells create many chemical stimuli and hormones that cause inflammation in your body and will lead to decreased immunity.
Respiratory Problems
Problems such as pneumonia may increase if you have poor oral health because the bacteria in your mouth may travel to your lungs and multiply.
Pregnancy Complications
Premature delivery and low birth weight may significantly increase because of poor dental hygiene. If your teeth and gums are not healthy, you are at risk of developing periodontal disease.
Many studies on various health issues show that poor dental health can affect your overall health. However, most of these problems can be prevented by having regular check-ups with your dentist and rigorously practicing proper oral care. Now is the time to stop harmful bacteria from thriving in your mouth and spreading to other parts of your body.
