Oral health is often an afterthought by many individuals in the realm overall health and personal well-being. This notion is unfortunately very off base in regards to the truth, due to the simple fact your mouth is the primary entryway into the rest of the body, so obviously it is connected to the entirety of your being. Things such as bacteria can make their way from your mouth all the way to your bloodstream rather easily, which can eventually cause ailments such as inflammation or even infection. Oral health is often an afterthought by many individuals in the realm overall health and personal well-being. This notion is unfortunately very off base in regards to the truth, due to the simple fact your mouth is the primary entryway into the rest of the body, so obviously it is connected to the entirety of your being. Things such as bacteria can make their way from your mouth all the way to your bloodstream rather easily, which can eventually cause ailments such as inflammation or even infection.
Cardiovascular Disease
Surely you are wondering how poor dental health could relate in any way, shape, or form to your heart, allow Broadway Family Dental to tell you a thing or two. When your gums become inflamed due to bacteria, said bacteria can get into your bloodstream which causes plaque to build up in your arteries. The buildup of plaque can ultimately lead to issues with blood flow, which correlates to heart attacks and an increased risk for strokes.
Respiratory Issues
Believe it or not, poor dental health can eventually lead to respiratory issues, such as infections and pneumonia! The same bacteria in your mouth that can cause periodontal disease can also lead to respiratory problems. Bacteria from infected or swollen gums can be breathed into the lungs, which can catalyze the respiratory issues.
Diabetes
When a person has gum disease, a common occurrence is that blood sugar levels increase. If you already have diabetes this makes you more susceptible to infection, which in turn makes the diabetes tougher to manage. This highlights how important it is if you currently have diabetes to maintain a high level of dental cleanliness, because of the negative implications otherwise.
Kidney Disease
Periodontal disease is linked to kidney disease, to be quite frank. Individuals with gum disease typically have weaker immune systems and are more inclined to get infections. There is quite the commonality between people who suffer from kidney disease and those who have poor oral health.
The most efficient way to avoid serious health problems caused by bad dental health, is to consistently practice quality dental hygiene. In addition to this, you should couple this practice with regular dentist visits to ensure you never need to worry about the above health concerns.