Tooth decay and gum disease can cause a lot of pain, difficulty eating, and a bad smell in the mouth. But did you know that poor oral hygiene can also lead to other medical conditions, such as heart disease, dementia, and even diabetes? In this article, we'll explore the various health problems that can be caused by poor oral hygiene and how to prevent them. Gum disease can cause chronic inflammation, which can contribute to other medical conditions, such as heart disease. Fortunately, you can prevent gum disease 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 also 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 also 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. Diabetics are more susceptible to infections, such as infected gums that cause periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease 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. There is also a link between poor oral health and infertility problems in women.
Gum disease can cause several general health problems that can make it difficult for a woman to conceive and maintain a healthy pregnancy. In fact, a woman with poor oral health may take longer to get pregnant than a woman with good dental health. Poor oral hygiene increases a man's risk of erectile dysfunction. Chronic periodontal disease is known to be related to erectile dysfunction. CPD is an infection that occurs when the gums separate from the teeth, creating pockets that carry bacteria and allows the virus to spread to the bone surrounding the teeth. Bacteria from diseased gums can enter the bloodstream and cause blood vessels to swell.
This inflammation can block blood flow to the genitals, making erections more difficult or even impossible to achieve. Obviously, poor oral health practices, such as smoking or using tobacco products, can cause oral and throat cancer, but other types of cancer have also been linked to gum disease. The risk of kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, and blood cancer is much higher in people who have poor oral health. 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. In addition, certain medications that treat high blood pressure can cause dry mouth. Dry mouth can cause tooth decay because saliva helps eliminate bacteria from your teeth. Kidney disease is another health problem known to contribute to poor gum health, which can become a vicious cycle. Kidney disease negatively affects gums, and in turn, chronic gum infections can cause inflammation in the kidneys and in the rest of the body. Obesity is linked to periodontitis, a serious form of gum disease.
It starts as gingivitis but over time it can become much more serious. People struggling with obesity should take special care to control and maintain gum health to avoid periodontal disease. Loose teeth in older adults are a sign of fragile and weakened bones. Dental x-rays may reveal a lack of density in the jaw which is a good sign of osteoporosis. Your dentist will refer you to a doctor if they suspect that you may have osteoporosis. Diabetes is another disease that causes periodontal disease.
Keeping your blood sugar level under control can really help protect your gums if you have diabetes. Patients with diabetes and periodontal disease are often referred to periodontists for treatment and may even need gum surgery. Some of the early signs of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are evident in the mouth. Oral thrush, a fungal infection in the mouth may be an early sign of HIV. The virus can also cause herpes, mouth sores, and gum disease.
Although HIV itself is not curable most oral symptoms can be treated with medication. Anemia is a condition in which there are too few red blood cells in the blood. Anemic patients usually have pale gums that may hurt to the touch. The treatment for anemia depends on the cause but if your dentist suspects that you may have anemia they will refer you to the appropriate doctor. While the most common problem caused by tooth decay is discomfort it can also predispose you to a number of other health conditions such as heart and lung diseases stroke or mental anxiety and depression In reality it will take longer for a woman with poor oral health to get pregnant than it should for a woman with good dental health. We also like to share news about dentistry to give you little tips and tricks on how to improve the overall health of your mouth since taking care of your teeth is essential for maintaining good overall health.
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