You brush, you floss, you rinse, but did you know your oral health goes way beyond a beautiful smile? Your dentist urges you to take care of your teeth and gums at every check-up, but you somehow forget the instructions, which can have severe consequences. It’s a myth that having a healthy smile is all about vanity; there are many health issues caused by bad oral health. Read this blog and learn about the diseases poor oral health can cause.
The Mouth Serves as the Body’s Gateway
The mouth is the first place to look for signs of conditions including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. High-risk oral bacteria can cause severe systemic diseases by entering the circulation and the body. Maintaining proper dental hygiene can help reduce the pain of dental diseases as well as the risk of other health issues.
6 Health Issues Caused by Poor Oral Health
Here are the 7 diseases caused by poor oral health:
1. Heart Disease
People with periodontal disease run the danger of plaque and bacteria infiltrating the circulation through the gums, increasing the risk of heart disease. Plaque and bacteria can cause atherosclerosis, or the hardening and clogging of arteries, which can impede blood flow and cause heart blockages.
2. Alzheimer’s Disease
Bacteria can cause memory loss by killing brain cells when they enter the brain through the mouth. Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease have been linked to oral microorganisms from improper dental care. Alzheimer’s disease may be caused by pathogenic oral bacteria known as spirochetes.
3. Diabetes
Patients with periodontal disease may find it more difficult to maintain their blood sugar levels, which increases their risk of developing diabetic complications.
4. Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Grinding your teeth can lead to cavities or swollen gums, which makes you more prone to infection. Headaches, heart disease, and elevated blood pressure are associated with sleep apnea.
5. Pregnancy Complications
Since dental health has a major influence on both the fetus and the mother, it is extremely important to maintain good oral health throughout pregnancy. Pregnant women who have gum disease are more likely to acquire gestational diabetes. Complications with this disease include large birth weight, premature birth, and the requirement for cesarean delivery.
6. Digestive Problems
Dental health has a big influence on your digestive system. It all starts with the process of digestion, which takes place in your mouth. Saliva includes enzymes that start the digestion of carbohydrates in addition to helping in the mechanical breakdown of meals. Reduced enzyme production as a result of poor chewing can impact digestion.
Final Say!
Keeping your mouth healthy is essential to general wellbeing and goes beyond simply having a gorgeous smile. As this blog has discussed, there are many health issues caused by bad oral health that can impact your entire body.
Brush and floss regularly and visit your dentist at Precision Smile Dentistry for routine checkups. You can schedule your appointment by calling us at the Stafford clinic (540) 300-2255 or the Washington clinic (202) 552-0077.