Few people realize how important oral health is. Your oral health can give hints about your general health, and oral health issues can negatively impact your whole body. Taking good care of your oral health will improve your overall health and happiness.
How Is My Oral Health Related to my Overall Health?
The majority of the bacteria in the mouth are harmless and present naturally. Your digestive and respiratory systems are connected to your mouth, and certain bacteria can harm other body systems. Maintaining good oral health keeps bacteria under control and your body’s defences strong. Daily brushing and flossing reduce bacteria and guard against gum disease and tooth decay.
Medications
Medication side effects can worsen your mouth’s health and raise your risk of becoming ill or having a decline in dental health.
The salivary flow, which typically washes away food and neutralizes acids, can be decreased by decongestants, painkillers, antihistamines, and antidepressants. Calcium Channel Blockers, Anticonvulsants and immunosuppressives are known to cause an overgrowth of the gums and other implicated drug classes include those for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obesity, and hypertension.
Diabetes
Gum health is endangered when the body’s resistance to infection is reduced. Diabetes patients have been found to have higher rates of gum disease, and studies have found that diabetics who also have gum disease struggle to control their blood sugar levels.
Alzheimer’s Disease
As the disease progresses, patients with Alzheimer’s frequently exhibit poor oral hygiene. However, gum disease is also connected to patients’ faster cognitive decline. According to one study, patients with gum disease lost their memory six times more quickly than those without the condition.
Pregnancy Complications
Periodontitis, which can be dangerous for both mother and fetus, is more common in pregnant women. Preterm birth, low birth weight, and increased risk of tooth loss have all been associated with periodontitis. Bacteria that affect the tissues surrounding the teeth and eventually have the ability to pull the teeth away from the gums are the cause of this inflammatory condition.
Heart disease and Strokes
Oral health and heart disease are connected by the spread of bacteria from your mouth to other parts of your body through the bloodstream, they can attach themselves to any damaged area and cause inflammation. Illnesses such as endocarditis, atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) and stroke have also been linked to inflammation caused by oral bacteria.
Pneumonia
Aspiration pneumonia is more likely to happen in older patients. Pneumonia can be brought on by dental plaque from the mouth entering the lungs while you sleep. Studies have shown that frequent tooth brushing and routine dental cleanings significantly reduced the risk of pneumonia in groups of individuals with higher levels of dental caries and missing teeth.
How Can I Protect My Health?
Caring for your mouth, teeth, and gums is beneficial to your overall health, and the opposite is true.
Maintaining good oral health can benefit your overall health. The key to maintaining good health is brushing and flossing twice a day, eating a healthy diet rich in firm vegetables, and visiting your dentist and dental hygienist regularly. If you currently have any of the mentioned conditions, be extra cautious with your oral hygiene routines and schedule an appointment with a dental professional to maintain oral health.
