Can Poor Oral Health Cause Serious Medical Conditions?
At first thought you may not realize that your oral health and your overall health are linked, but in fact poor oral health can cause serious medical conditions. Here, we’ll explain how poor oral health affects your overall health, what serious medical conditions it can cause, and how to keep your oral health in tip top shape.
How Are Oral Health & Overall Health Connected?
Your mouth is basically the first port of entry to the rest of your body so what happens there, influences everything else. While your mouth is naturally filled with mostly harmless bacteria, proper regular oral health care will make sure that none of the harmful bacteria affect your mouth. However, if you’re not practicing good dental habits every day like brushing and flossing, you are allowing bad bacteria to build up and this can lead to a host of bad oral health conditions such as tooth decay, gum disease, and more. While these dental issues are bad in and of themselves, if they are not treated, the bad bacteria and germs can make their way to the rest of the body and wreak havoc.
Can Poor Oral Health Cause Serious Medical Conditions?
Yes, poor oral health can actually lead to serious medical conditions that affect your overall health. One of the most serious medical conditions associated with poor oral health is cardiovascular disease. Research has shown that the bacteria from inflamed gums can actually make its way into your bloodstream and eventually reach your heart. This then leads to atherosclerosis, a condition in which your arteries harden or clog, and this could mean a heart attack or a stroke are imminent. That bad bacteria can also cause endocarditis, which is an infection that affects the inner lining of the heart.
If you suffer from gum disease, you could also be putting the rest of your body at risk. When you have gum disease, you breath in all the bad bacteria that is attacking your gums. This could actually lead to you developing an infection in your gums such as pneumonia. Furthermore, gum disease has also been shown to be linked to premature birth or low birth weight.
How Can You Maintain Good Oral Health?
One of the best ways to maintain good oral health is by practicing good oral health habits every single day. This means brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time, flossing at least once a day, and using fluoride toothpaste. You should also eat a healthy diet high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals and low in acids, sugars, and carbohydrates. Another important way to keep your mouth healthy is by coming in for regular checkups and cleanings. Give us a call today to schedule your appointment!