BODY & ORAL HEALTH CONNECTION
We've all heard the advice a million times: to maintain good dental health, wash your teeth twice daily for two minutes each time, and floss at least once each day. What if, though, we told you that by taking care of your dental health, you'll also be doing your body some good?
It should be obvious that having oral health problems might result in other health problems in your body since the mouth is frequently viewed as the doorway to the rest of the body.
Symptoms of poor dental hygiene
WHAT HAPPENS IN YOUR MOUTH IF YOU HAVE BAD ORAL HEALTH:
Plaque forms when bacteria feed, multiply, and then perish, leaving behind their metabolites.
Plaque becomes tartar when it accumulates and hardens.
The gums become sensitive and inflamed when the tartar layers accumulate.
Now, "pockets" form, and additional bacteria settle into the gums.
Gingivitis develops, characterized by red, swollen, and frequently bleeding gums, while the cycle of inflammation and bacterial development continues.
The early stage of gum disease is at this point.
This develops into periodontitis as it gets worse.
Gum recession, tooth rot, tooth loss, sore gums, and persistent bad breath are all common symptoms of periodontal disease. However, as gum disease worsens, its effects on health are felt far beyond the mouth.
Why oral health matters, the link between it and the body, and signs of poor dental hygiene
GUM DISEASE IN ADULTS, ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PERIODONTOLOGY
Gum disease affects 47.2% of individuals in the United States.
When it comes to Americans 65 and older, that proportion rises to 70.1%.
DENTAL HEALTH AND GENERAL HEALTH: IMPLICATIONS
In addition, as mentioned above, gum disease is not just a problem for the mouth. Gum disease has also been linked by the ADA to numerous studies with:
Oral Health And Heart Disease: When you have gum disease, the bacteria in the mouth are free to travel into your bloodstream and all over your body. This can lead to inflammation and even infection in the valves and vessels of the heart, with plaque deposits occurring in and around the arteries. Heart attacks and strokes may result from these.
Pneumonia And Oral Health: When bad bacteria are crowding your mouth, these can end up in your lungs and cause infection, which can lead to pneumonia and other respiratory conditions.
Oral Health And Pregnancy: Gum disease in pregnant women increases the risk of early birth and low birth weight in babies.
Diabetes And Oral Health: Many people with Type 2 Diabetes are also afflicted by gum disease, and can often have a worse case than those without diabetes. Gum disease also inhibits blood sugar control, making it harder to manage diabetes.
MORE: WHY IS ORAL HEALTH IMPORTANT || ORAL HEALTH & BODY CONNECTION
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