How Oral Health Affects The Body As A Whole
Poor oral health was the root cause of almost 5% of illnesses in adults across Australia last year. Unfortunately, the link between good oral health and overall wellness is often overlooked. And that can lead to serious sickness if you’re not careful.
Dental Health Week is the perfect opportunity to talk about this connection. And also what we can do to keep ourselves as strong as possible!
If you’ve wondered how poor oral health impacts overall health, check out this guide! We’ll cover the most common issues you’ll see when you don’t take good care of your teeth.
Poor Digestion of Food
When you don’t take dental hygiene seriously, you’ll start to notice how difficult it is to eat. Even a small cavity can cause a lot of pain.
That kind of discomfort can lead you to not chewing your food properly. And that chewing is the first step to good digestion. Leaving food unprocessed can be really harmful to your body.
You may start to notice more weight gain, bloating, or other digestive problems. Next time you’re at the dentist, ask for tips for getting your teeth even cleaner to avoid these problems.
Inflammation and Arthritis
A clear indicator of gum disease is inflammation along the teeth line. Unhealthy gums will start to be red, larger than normal, and tender to the touch. And that’s because the bacteria has gone beneath the surface and is infecting the whole area.
That same kind of bacteria can spread throughout your body if left too long. And that means you could start to experience inflammation in those areas as well.
In the worst cases, that inflammation turns into arthritis and extreme pain.
Removing the bacteria and resolving the gum disease will help avoid these problems. You can do this by flossing regularly and deep cleaning between the teeth.
A Link Between Gum Disease And Alzheimer’s
Recent research suggests a strong link between Alzheimer’s disease and periodontal (gum) disease. Studies indicate that Porphyromonas gingivalis, the bacterium responsible for many gum infections, can migrate from the mouth to the brain and produce toxic enzymes called gingipains, which have been found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
These enzymes may contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s by damaging brain neurons, triggering inflammation, and increasing beta-amyloid production, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
This emerging connection emphasises the importance of maintaining good oral health for overall brain health.
Serious System Breakdowns
Bad bacteria from poor dental care can also infect your body leading to a massive breakdown.
Some people who have gum disease eventually begin to have heart problems. Those include cardiovascular disease or heart attacks. They may also have signs of hypertension, which can cause even more stress on the heart.
Poor oral health can affect almost every major system in the body. So it should be taken very seriously to keep everything else healthy!
The Effects of Oral Health on the Body
Taking care of your oral health is a great way to reduce your risk for some major illnesses. It doesn’t take a lot to practice good dental hygiene that keeps your teeth, gums, and mouth as clean as possible.
One of the best things you can do is make sure to see your dentist at least twice a year. This way you can get the deep clean to remove anything that could potentially cause a problem. And they’ll be able to catch any issues that are starting before they spread.
Our team of dental professionals understands how to provide amazing care. All while still creating a comfortable environment. Schedule an appointment today to start taking care of your oral health!