Your oral health is often linked to your overall health and well-being. It’s a foundation for a remarkably better life. The mouth, jaw, and teeth play a critical role in many significant body systems, including the immune system, thyroid gland, brain function, and vascular function. Good oral health is directly correlated with overall physical fitness and well-being.
Poor dental hygiene can lead to an unhealthy immune system and increase susceptibility to life-threatening diseases. Here are the effects of bad dental hygiene on the body.
Heart Disease
Poor oral health is linked to cardiovascular disease, which can lead to heart failure or heart attacks. Gum disease may not directly cause heart disease, but it’s a contributing factor that increases the risk for this severe problem.
When you practice good dental habits, your circulatory system works differently from when poor dental hygiene is practiced. Your blood pressure becomes lower, and your heart does not need to work as hard. Having healthy gums and teeth can also reduce your risk of heart attacks by twenty percent.
Dementia and Memory Loss
Bacteria and acids in your mouth can cause an inflammation of the gums and result in a condition called periodontitis. Over time, periodontitis may destroy the bone that holds teeth in place, which puts you at risk for loose or missing teeth. Missing teeth can be treated with Dental Implants, which are beneficial for people who need more teeth.
Poor oral hygiene increases your chances of developing inflammation in the sinus cavities, which can lead to a long-term infection that attacks the brain and leaves you at risk of dementia.
Lowered Immune System Function
Poor oral hygiene makes you more likely to develop bacteria and fungi infection that leads to an increase in inflammation in unwanted places such as the lungs, heart, and vasculature. This directly impacts your overall immune system, putting you at risk for more severe diseases and infections.
A healthy immune system is everything in preserving your health. Your body relies on its ability to fight off invaders and repair itself after attacks by viruses and bacteria. When you fail to practice good dental habits, your body becomes more susceptible to infections of all kinds, including those that can lead to life-threatening conditions such as cancer and stroke.
Stroke
Most strokes occur when a blood vessel gets blocked or ruptures. A buildup of tartar and plaque that is not removed by the toothbrush contributes to this problem.
If tartar and plaque are allowed to build up, they form hard deposits that react with the acid in your mouth. This results in an increase in inflammation, which can lead to long-term problems with your blood vessels.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that impacts the body’s ability to produce insulin and regulate blood sugar levels. Poor oral health can also increase your risk for diabetes because periodontal disease puts you at a higher risk of developing this condition. The connection between diabetes and gum disease is so strong that it has been labeled as one of the reasons why diabetes is such a prevalent problem in our society.
Pregnancy Problems
If you are pregnant, it’s essential to take care of your teeth and gums to have a healthy and easy pregnancy and delivery. One of the leading causes of preterm labor is inflammation in your gums and teeth. The placenta that feeds your baby is a barrier that protects your baby from outside infections and toxins.
Inflammation in your gums and teeth may not directly reach the placenta, but it can cause an increase in infection that will reach this delicate barrier and put you at risk for preterm labor.
Cancer
When you have a mouth full of gum disease, bacteria can find their way into your bloodstream, where they can circulate long distances. This bacterial invasion causes inflammation in places far from the source.
The increased likelihood of infection in other parts of your body makes you more vulnerable to cancer. Cancer starts when cells begin to grow abnormally, and without good oral hygiene, abnormal cell growth is more likely.
Closing Thoughts
To avoid the devastating effects of poor oral health, you need to practice good dental hygiene as often as possible. Whether you currently see a dentist or not, brush and floss your teeth daily and schedule regular appointments to keep your gums and teeth healthy for your entire life. You will not only feel better overall, but you’ll be more likely to live a long and healthy life as well.
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