It’s true! Poor oral health can affect far more than just the appearance of your teeth and gums. There have been links between poor dental health and serious health issues such as heart disease, lung infections, or diabetes! Remember everything we eat and drink enters through our mouth. 

Poor Oral Health

Your oral health includes your teeth, tongue, and gums. Most importantly the gums can affect your health because they have a significant influence on your oral health. Unhealthy gums can lead to a number of oral diseases and worse, affect the rest of your body. Your oral health may contribute to these diseases or conditions:

Heart Disease

There have been a variety of heart diseases such as Endocarditis, linked to poor dental health. There are bacteria in the inflammation caused by the gum disease that can enter your bloodstream and make its way to your heart. This bacteria affects the arteries which can lead to blood flow problems. To avoid infections such as gum disease we recommend maintaining a healthy dental routine that will promote healthy gums and teeth. 

Dementia 

Dementia has been linked to poor oral health due to Gingivitis Gingivitis is another gum disease that causes inflamed gums, this inflammation causes bacteria to enter nerve channels or bloodstream and enter the brain. This damage can lead to memory loss which can be prevented by good oral health.

Lung Infections

Maintaining poor oral health can lead to you ingesting harmful bacteria from gums or teeth that were infected. These harmful bacteria can cause infections in your lungs such as pneumonia. This bacteria spread to your lungs can also make it harder for your body to defend against future lung infections

Diabetes 

Diabetes can be affected by your oral health, gum disease can affect how your blood glucose is controlled. This can contribute to negative effects for diabetic patients due to having a hard time maintaining a healthy blood sugar level. Developing a gum disease can lead a patient to high blood sugar levels and put this patient at risk of developing diabetes. 

Why is Good Oral Health so Important? 

Good Oral Health is not important for only your dental health but your body as a whole. Poor oral health can lead to a variety of diseases or conditions but you can take preventive measures to fight back. This starts with maintaining a dental routine which in time will improve your dental health. 

Tips to Better Oral Health

Struggling with your oral health and want to take these preventive measures? Check out some of our tips to improve your dental health as well as overall health.

1. Dental Checkups

Make sure to visit your dentist at least twice a year! They can inspect your teeth and gums and provide professional dental cleaning.

2. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once 

This is key! Maintaining a healthy dental routine starts with brushing and flossing.

3. Use a Fluoride Mouthwash

Fluoride is used to protect and strengthen your teeth against decay. Rinsing your mouth out with fluoride mouthwash will wash out all bacteria leftover from brushing and flossing.