Know Mouth-Body Connection – Impact of Oral Hygiene on Overall Well-being
Poor oral health creates havoc in our mouths and also causes issues in other areas of our body. It means there is an essential mouth-body connection. Therefore, diet, regular dental visits, and proper oral hygiene habits have a direct impact on our social, psychological, and physical well-being.
Studies have shown that periodontal disease has a link to heart stroke, low birth weight babies, bacterial pneumonia, etc. Moreover, other research has stated that individuals with periodontal disease are 3 times more prone to the risk of heart disease.
Understanding Dental Health and Systemic Health
The association between oral health and overall health is known as an oral-systemic connection. Systemic health is the presence of diverse disorders and diseases in the body that can affect dental health. It means you cannot achieve overall health without a healthy mouth.
Our nose, throat, and mouth have a connection in one way or another. There are nearly 6 million bacteria in a person’s mouth. These microorganisms reside in almost every area of our bodies. Each bacteria has its own purpose. Most of them are controlled properly by the natural defense system of our body as long as we practice good dental hygiene.
When our mouth is unhealthy, it is full of dangerous bacteria. The harmful bacteria can shift to other body parts in case of poor oral hygiene practices. It results in gum diseases, cavities, and dental abscesses. These diseases progress to get worse with time.
Oral bacteria in our mouth can also enter the bloodstream and create clumps, resulting in systemic inflammation. It also leads to the swelling of tissues and cells. It makes the arteries narrow and hikes the risk of blood clots. Furthermore, the by-products of mouth bacteria moved into the bloodstream could cause the production of C-reactive proteins in the liver.
When this happens, it encourages blood clot formation and blood vessel swelling, which results in the risk of heart disease, blocked arteries, and heart stroke.
Impact of Oral Hygiene on Overall Well-Being
As per the National Institutes of Health, more than 90% of common diseases have oral symptoms. The University of Illinois Chicago claims that the importance of dental care and hygiene goes beyond overall health. Furthermore, numerous oral disease conditions are easy to prevent with early treatment.
So, consistent at-home oral care is the best way to prevent dental issues. It will ultimately save significant money in dental care over the lifetime. Regular preventive care also minimizes your risk of diabetes, heart disease, etc. Healthy gums and teeth also make you feel confident about yourself.
As per one study, mouth bacteria has a link with gum disease and may result in the following conditions:
- Pneumonia.
- Pregnancy and birth complications.
- Cardiovascular diseases.
- Endocarditis (infection of the heart valves or chambers).
Out of the serious diseases caused by gum disease is diabetes, which can be more problematic because it is difficult to manage. Diabetes patients usually have dry mouths. It enhances your risk of developing periodontal disease. If you are suffering from the same, speak to the St. Catharines dentist near you today.
Furthermore, individuals with diabetes are more prone to periodontal disease. It makes diabetes even worse. It also links to other conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Keeping up with good dental hygiene prevents or slows the progression of oral diseases like periodontitis and cavities. Minimizing the bacteria level in the mouth prevents the transfer of bacteria to other body parts. Visiting the dentist for routine dental checkups and cleanings and brushing teeth twice a day offer advantages much more than good oral health.
Poor dental hygiene can result in periodontitis, which enhances the risk of getting systemic diseases. A systemic disease is a health condition that impacts multiple body organs. If you have not seen the dentist for more than six months, fix a visit today. The expert will help you detect the issues quickly and minimize your risk for serious health consequences.
Remember, most oral problems do not cause visible signs until they need costly and comprehensive treatment. Few people require more effort and diligence in maintaining good health. If you have a high risk of dental diseases, work closely with our family dentist near you in St. Catharines, ON at Girardi Dental.