What do diabetes, Alzheimer's and heart disease have in common?
They are all linked to oral health issues. While most people think that problems with your teeth and gums stay in your mouth, that simply isn’t the case.
Your oral health can give you clues about your overall health. The connection between both is bacteria. Without good oral hygiene, bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Since your mouth is the gateway to your digestive and respiratory tracts, leaving bacteria in your mouth untreated can lead to major health issues. Also, certain diseases can exacerbate oral health problems.
Here is a list of some major health issues that are affected by poor oral health:
Endocarditis
Endocarditis is an infection that occurs in the inner lining of the heart chambers or valves. Bacteria or other germs can enter from the mouth or other areas of the body and spread to the bloodstream and attach to the heart.
Cardiovascular Disease
Research has found that heart disease, clogged arteries, and stroke might be linked to inflammation and infections caused by oral bacteria.
Pregnancy and Birth Complications
Gum disease is connected to premature birth as well as low birth weight.
Diabetes
The body’s resistance to infection is diminished, which can put your gums at risk. Gum disease is prevalent and more severe in diabetes patients.
Pneumonia
Bacteria from your mouth can get into your lungs, causing pneumonia and other respiratory complications.
We can’t tell you enough how important it is to simply brush and floss your teeth on a daily basis and keep up with routine dental checkups. Other ways to protect your oral health are to eat a healthy diet and limit sugary foods. It’s also important to stay away from tobacco use as it can compromise not only your oral health but also your overall health.
If you have any concerns about your oral health, don’t delay. Make an appointment with our office. The sooner you can stop oral health issues, the sooner you can prevent the occurrence of more serious health issues.
