When most people think about the problems that poor dental oral hygiene can lead to it usually revolves around bad breath, dirty teeth, plaques, cavities, and gum diseases.
While these are certainly true, they aren’t even the worst. People are usually shocked to learn that heart disease, cancer, and many debilitating sicknesses can result from poor oral health.
In this post, we’ll be talking about these dangers and how to eliminate them from an oral health perspective. Let’s dive right in, shall we?
What is gum disease?
Gum disease or gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums usually caused by a group of bacteria in plaque. This can cause loss of bone around the teeth and gum recession which can eventually lead to tooth loss. Gingivitis is early-stage gum disease, while periodontal disease is late-stage gum disease which can lead to tooth loss.
According to a survey carried out by the American Dental Association in 2013, only 31% of Americans floss daily. An astounding 69% of our huge population allow food particles to remain in-between their teeth putting their oral and overall health at risk. It begs the question, to what degree is poor dental health responsible for the prevalence of other terminal diseases in our country?
Read More: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Poor oral health leads to many diseases
Respiratory conditions
If you suffer from periodontal disease, bacteria from your mouth can travel into the bloodstream and then to the lungs and affect your respiratory system. Inflammation of various parts can begin to occur. For instance, If it happens in the bronchus, bronchitis can occur. Pneumonia is also linked to infections resulting from bacteria transferred from the mouth to the bloodstream and then the lungs.
Cancer
Proper dental care isn’t typically what most people think about when trying to prevent cancer. In reality, dental care is an important variable in various types of cancers.
According to a Havard study spanning 28 years with a sample size of 150,000 men and women, a history of periodontal(gum) disease was linked to the development of cancers. Those who had suffered gum disease were 43% more likely to develop esophageal cancer and 52% more likely to suffer gastric(stomach) cancer than those with healthy gums.
While the study doesn’t exactly say that gum diseases caused the cancer, the handwriting seems to be on the wall.
Diabetes
There is a reinforcing relationship between gum disease and diabetes. Gum disease can increase your blood sugar levels and complicate your diabetes affecting the eyes, nerves, kidneys, and heart. On the other hand, people with type 2 diabetes are three times more likely to develop dental problems compared to people without diabetes. Even more at risk than every category is those with type 1 diabetes.
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Heart disease
There’s a quiet suspicion that plaques in your teeth might be linked to plaques in your arteries. While these two types of plaques are made up of different and unrelated materials people with gum disease are three times more likely to have a stroke, heart attack, or other serious cardiovascular issue than those without it.
Alzheimer’s disease
A recent study led by the National Institute on Aging showed that bacteria involved with gum disease that causes chronic inflammation were also found in the development of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Because these bacteria responsible for gum disease cause inflammation and can enter the bloodstream, every organ of the body is within reach of its destructive tendencies.
If the message wasn’t clear already, then this is it: take attentive care of your oral health and you take care of your general health(for the most part at least.)
Proper oral hygiene
- Brushing your teeth morning and before bed
- Flossing daily
- Avoiding hot or cold foods if you have tooth sensitivity
- Visiting your dentist for routine check-ups periodically
Read More: Insomnia
How to contact Holts Healthcare
Holts Healthcare Pain & Wellness is a multi-specialty clinic based in Fayetteville, GA. Our services include Primary Care, Wellness, and Pain Management. Book your appointment with us today!
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