Can Poor Oral Health Lead to Diabetes?
More than one million Australians have been diagnosed with diabetes. It’s a frustrating illness that has a major impact on the patient’s daily life. And it can be deadly if it’s not taken care of properly.
There’s no one indicator that someone is going to develop diabetes. There are many factors that can contribute to the disease. And that’s why so many wonder, can poor oral health lead to diabetes?
When you’re trying to make smart decisions to keep yourself as healthy as possible, knowing what causes diseases is important. Understanding the link between diabetes and oral hygiene can be the motivating factor you need to take great care of your teeth. Check out this guide for everything you need to know!
Purpose of Brushing Your Teeth
Brushing your teeth every day is something you hear about every single time you visit the dentist. And it’s easy to start to feel like it’s not that important because it’s such a simple task.
But, in reality, it’s really important to remove a lot of bacteria from your system.
The mouth is one of the main ways bacteria can get into our systems. So brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth out are the best ways to clear that out before it can get any further.
Problems that Come from Poor Oral Hygiene
When you don’t take those steps to brush your teeth properly, you’re letting all of those bacteria stay longer. It can lead to tooth decay and cavities. But it can also travel through your digestive system and even into your bloodstream. This is how bad oral hygiene has been linked to poor blood sugar control.
The longer you go without regularly cleaning out your mouth, the more bacteria will get into your system. Your body can only function correctly for so long.
Eventually, you’ll start having regular problems like diabetes and dental problems.
Best Practices to Prevent Issues
The best thing you can do to avoid oral health problems of all kinds is to keep on a regular schedule. Go back to the basics children are taught until you build up your skills and habits. It’s most important to be consistent and to do these tasks every day for the best results.
Can Poor Oral Health Lead to Diabetes?
Poor mouth health is not the direct cause of diabetes BUT it is highly linked and those with poor mouth health have been found to have higher risk of illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease. Additionally, people with diabetes suffer from poor oral health much more than the average person: there are significantly more swollen gums, less saliva production which leads to cavities and infections can take longer to heal. When you don’t take care to clean out the bacteria in your mouth, you’re leaving the rest of your body vulnerable to infections.
Taking the time to develop solid oral hygiene habits is so important. This way, you know you’re doing all you can to keep your oral health in check so you can focus on the rest of your body. A few simple steps can make a big difference.
And a huge part of that is visiting your dentist on a regular basis. Those checkups and deep cleanings can prevent any problems from starting. Our team at The Bondi Dentists are experts at keeping your teeth as healthy as possible! Contact us today to schedule your first appointment!