Poor dental health can have serious consequences on your overall health and well-being. Some of the most common diseases affecting our oral health include tooth decay (dental caries), gum disease (periodontal) and oral cancer. More than 40% of adults report having had a sore mouth in the past year and more than 80% of people will have had at least one tooth decay before their 34th birthday. Fortunately, gum disease can be prevented with regular dental cleaning and proper oral hygiene.
This will reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease and keep your smile healthy and strong. Poor oral health can affect the brain. Substances released from inflamed gums by an infection can destroy brain cells and cause memory loss. Gingivitis can cause dementia, and possibly even Alzheimer's disease, when bacteria from the mouth spread to nerve channels or enter the bloodstream. The respiratory system may suffer as a result of poor oral health.
Bacteria in the mouth from infected teeth and inflamed gums can be inhaled into the lungs or travel there through the bloodstream. Once there, the bacteria can cause respiratory infections, pneumonia, acute bronchitis, and even COPD. Not only are diabetics more susceptible to infections, such as infected gums that cause periodontal disease, but periodontal disease, in turn, can make diabetes more difficult to control. Symptoms may worsen as blood sugar levels get out of control due to gum disease. It's especially important for diabetics to take good care of their oral health to prevent complications with their disease. Because gum disease can cause higher than normal blood sugar levels, a person with poor oral health has a higher risk of developing diabetes.
It is imperative that pregnant women practice good oral hygiene. Hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy can make it much easier for a woman to develop oral infections. Any infection in the mother's body increases her risk of experiencing complications during pregnancy. Oral health problems in mothers, such as periodontitis and gingivitis, are known to cause premature birth and low birth weight in infants. Gum disease puts mother and baby at risk of serious health problems.
Chronic kidney disease is a serious health problem that affects the kidneys, heart, bones, and blood pressure. Infections in the body, such as periodontal disease, can cause kidney disease. People with gum disease generally have a weaker immune system and are more likely to get infections. Many people who have very poor oral health also have kidney disease. Kidney disease can be fatal if it causes kidney failure or cardiovascular disease.
If you have poor oral health, you are at risk of cardiovascular disease. Bacteria from infected gums enter the bloodstream and can cause arteries to build up plaque. This can put you at risk for a heart attack. You may think that the worst consequence of poor dental health would be tooth loss and painful moments in the dentist's chair. However, some studies have linked common oral problems to diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, premature birth, osteoporosis, and even Alzheimer's disease. In most cases, the exact strength and nature of the link are unclear, but they suggest that dental health is important for preserving overall health.
Cleaning between your teeth every day with dental floss or interdental brushes available at drugstores is essential for maintaining good oral hygiene. There is increasing evidence of the importance of the connection between the mouth and the body; as is well known, dental problems are related to a growing list of other ailments. Poor oral hygiene could lead to possible memory loss which could lead to dementia; if these problems weren't serious enough already there are many other diseases and conditions that could occur if you have poor dental hygiene. Take care of your teeth and gums and see your dentist at a Kirkland dental office for your scheduled check-ups. According to the American Diabetes Association many people realize for the first time that they have diabetes when they develop a dental disease; in fact a woman with poor oral health may take longer to get pregnant than a woman with good dental health. So what does this mean for your overall health and well-being? It means a lot; these are some of the most serious effects of poor dental hygiene on your body: an increased risk of kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, blood cancer; as well as an increased risk of heart attack due to plaque build-up in arteries caused by bacteria from infected gums entering into the bloodstream. The importance of taking care of your teeth cannot be overstated; it is essential for preserving overall health. Make sure you visit your dentist regularly for check-ups; clean between your teeth every day with dental floss or interdental brushes available at drugstores; avoid smoking or using tobacco products; practice good oral hygiene habits; all these will help you maintain good oral health.
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