Your family dentist may insist on brushing twice a day, rinsing the mouth after eating candy and flossing regularly. It may seem tedious and you might be tempted to skip these dental hygiene practices but don’t. It isn’t just about having healthy teeth but good dental hygiene is important for holistic health as well.
Orthodontic problems may give rise to several health problems. Here are 5 health problems that can be a result of bad oral health.
5 Health Problems Caused Due to Bad Oral Health
#1. Cardiovascular Illnesses
If you have bad dental care habits, it can expose you to cardiovascular diseases. Bacteria responsible for periodontal diseases can get into the bloodstream causing the arteries to build up plaque and harden. This leads to a serious condition known as atherosclerosis which results in blood flow problems and heart blockages, increasing the likelihood of having a heart attack.
#2. Bacterial Infections
Bacteria from an unhealthy mouth can enter the bloodstream and cause numerous infections and illnesses. When you practice good dental hygiene, only a small percentage of bacteria will be able to gain access to the bloodstream, however, the harmful bacteria increase 2 to 10-fold in those with poor oral hygiene, thus introducing more bacteria into tissue and the bloodstream and increasing the chances of infections.
#3. Cognitive Decline
Dental problems may even lead to cognitive decline and accelerate illnesses like dementia and Alzheimers. Researchers found Porphyromonas gingivitis, a bacterium associated with gum disease, in the brain of patients suffering from dementia and they suspect that if this bacteria is given the right push, the patients may develop Alzheimer’s.
#4. Chronic Diseases
Smoking and tobacco consumption cause oral and throat cancers but there are other types of cancer have been linked to gum disease. People with poor oral health have a higher risk of kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, and blood cancers.
Periodontal diseases also lead to several infections in the body as people with gum disease generally have weaker immune systems and are more likely to chronic diseases such as kidney diseases.
#5. Malnutrition and Digestion
Being unable to eat or chew food properly due to bad teeth or gum disease will have a negative impact on your body as it won’t receive proper nutrition. When the body doesn’t the necessary nutrition for a prolonged period of time, it will lead to malnutrition or digestive problems. Severe cases may even lead to death!
Health Issues Aggravating Oral Problems
On the flip-side, there are some health conditions that can have a direct impact on your dental health and lead to dental problems.
Diabetes: Diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infection and puts a greater risk on your gums. Research has established a link between diabetes and gum disease, but diabetic patients are also prone to other dental health issues such as periodontal disease, mouth ulcers, gum abscesses, fungal infections, etc.
Osteoporosis: This disease causes the bones to become weak and brittle. This might be linked to tooth loss and periodontal bone loss as well. Additionally, the drugs that treat osteoporosis carry a small risk of damaging the bones of the jaw.
HIV/AIDS: Oral problems, such as painful mucosal lesions, are quite common in people suffering from HIV/AIDS.
Alzheimer’s disease: As Alzheimer’s progress, the oral health start worsening.
Some other health conditions that might be linked to oral health include eating disorders, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren’s syndrome — an immune system disorder that causes dry mouth.
Your body won’t be healthy until your mouth is. Get regular checkups from your family dentist and practice good oral habits to prevent oral problems and other diseases that can be a result of dental problems.
