The Importance of Oral Health - A window to your overall health

Oral health is of utmost important than you might realize. Your oral health offers signs about your overall wellness. Making a regular visit to your dentist can help more than giving an attractive smile, as it can tell your dentists a lot about your overall health, including whether you are at risk of any serious health condition. This write-up will help you know more about the connection between your oral health and overall health.

 Read on to find facts about how the health of your mouth, teeth, and gums can affect your general health.

Periodontal disease and health complications

Periodontal (Gum) Disease can cause health complications such as a stroke and heart disease. Women with the periodontal disease show higher incidences of premature and low birth-weight babies.

According to a research study, more than 90% of diseases involving different organs have oral symptoms, including dry mouth, swollen gums, mouth ulcers, and excessive gum problems. Such conditions include:

• Diabetes
•          Leukemia (Cancer of the blood)
•          Oral cancer
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Cardiac Disease
• Stroke
• Arthritis
• Preterm birth
• Kidney disease

Since most people get their regular oral examinations, their dentist may be the first healthcare provider to identify a health problem in its early stages.

The Effects of Poor Dental Hygiene on the Body

Diabetes

Diabetes patients are more prone to have periodontal disease in severe cases they also lose one or more teeth. Studies show a direct association between diabetes and gum disease: people with diabetes are at greater risk of suffering from gum disease. Similarly, individual with advanced gum disease (periodontitis) find it difficult to control their blood sugar, this increasing the risk of the diabetic.

Heart disease and stroke

Periodontal disease increases the risk for arterial narrowing and rising heart diseases. This is because the bacteria that get into your bloodstream via the gums contain a clot causes the arteries to block, making you prone to heart attack. Moreover, if the bacteria get into your carotid artery and restrict blood flow to the brain, you are at greater risk of suffering a stroke.

Dementia

There is a close relation between tooth loss due to inappropriate oral hygiene and increase the risk for memory loss and early stage Alzheimer’s disease. Gum infections release inflammatory substances that, in turn, cause the brain to swell resulting in the death of brain cells.

Respiratory infections

Advanced gum illness can cause a disease in your lungs that lead to pneumonia. Although it seems to be an unlikely way to get infected, due to failure to identify the gum diseases at an early stage, as it increases a number of bacteria that gets into your respiratory system. It contaminates the blood passing through and feeding the lungs and other parts of the system.

Cancer

Poor oral hygiene increases the risk of oral cancer, especially oropharyngeal cancer. Gum disease increases the risk of pancreatic cancer and other cancers.

Poor oral hygiene is associated with immunity system disorders, pregnancy complications, osteoporosis, and other health issues. It is essential that you sustain a proper oral hygiene, which includes regular brushing and flossing and dental checkups to enjoy the benefits of a healthy mouth, including a better quality of life.

To better take care of your dental health, you need to consult experienced dentists for the best treatment