You’re supposed to brush and floss every day, but you might be surprised to learn that it’s not just about preventing cavities and keeping your smile white, but also because maintaining of your oral health is an important part of your health and well-being.
According to the health website, oral health is linked to the health of the whole body, which means that dental and gum problems can lead to other health problems such as heart disease, stroke , etc.
Why is oral health important?
In reality though, you should think of your mouth as an extension of the rest of your body, and by looking inside a person’s mouth, I often get an idea of their overall health.
Poor oral health can include conditions such as:
Gingivitis, when bacteria infect the gums. This is a mild and early form of gum disease.
Gum disease is an infection of the gums that leads to inflammation of the gums and bone loss around the teeth.
Tooth decay, such as untreated tooth decay.
What can happen if you suffer from poor oral health?
In addition to yellowed smiles and bad breath, poor oral health can also contribute to a number of health issues that affect your entire body, and Dr. Ross explains some of the most criticized of them.
Heart disease
The umbrella term “cardiovascular disease” refers to a group of disorders related to your heart and blood vessels. Poor oral health is associated with forms of cardiovascular disease such as:
Coronary heart disease: As the most common type of heart disease, coronary heart disease can lead to heart attacks and heart failure.
Clogged arteries: Studies show that people with gum disease have much higher rates of atherosclerosis, when plaque builds up inside the blood vessels that carry blood and oxygen from the heart to the body .
Stroke: Studies show a strong relationship between gum disease and stroke, especially stroke related to atherosclerosis.
Keep in mind that although cardiovascular disease and periodontal disease are linked.
Inflammation of the heart
If you have heart disease or other heart-related health conditions, you’re more likely to develop endocarditis, which is an infection of the lining of the heart valves (and sometimes the lining of the heart chambers).
Endocarditis is caused by a bacterial infection that can be contracted during procedures such as dental extractions. “It doesn’t usually affect heart health, but if you have existing heart problems it can be fatal.”
Complications of pregnancy and childbirth
When you’re pregnant, there are even more reasons to take care of your body, including your mouth. In pregnant women, poor oral health is associated with:
Fetal growth restriction.
– Pregnancy diabetes.
Low birth weight.
– Abortion.
Stillbirth.
-Eclampsia.
Again, the idea is that bacteria from the mouth can travel through the bloodstream and harm the fetus,” warns Dr. Ross.
-lung inflammation
The presence of cavities has been linked to pneumonia, which is pneumonia caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi.
The idea is that bacteria in the mouth can become swollen in the upper airways and in the lungs, which may be linked to pneumonia. This also makes it easier for bacteria that cause respiratory infections to stick to the lungs.
Other cases
Of course, having a healthy mouth is key to your ability to eat healthy meals. Eating, which is essential to our survival, really depends on having teeth in the mouth and healthy teeth and gums.
Untreated cavities can lead to malnutrition and stunted growth and development in children. They can also cause problems such as:
Cellulitis (bacterial infection)
Swelling in the face.
Gum disease.
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