8 Health Effects of Poor Dental Hygiene that Extend Beyond Your Mouth
It is very important to take good care of your teeth and gums for many reasons beyond the oral cavity. Because the mouth is the “gateway to the body” bacteria from the teeth and gums can affect your overall health in many ways.
Obviously, poor dental hygiene can lead to both tooth decay and cavities and to gingivitis-periodontal disease.
Also poor dental health can be particularly bad for your social life as well – halitosis (bad breath).
The bacteria that originate in the mouth can travel throughout the body and potentially cause a host of health problems:
1.
Heart Disease/Stroke Risk: People with periodontal disease are 2x more likely to develop heart disease and arterial narrowing as a result of plaque entering the bloodstream through the gingiva.
2.
Increase Risk of Dementia: Studies found that gingival/periodontal infections release inflammatory substances which in turn increase brain inflammation that can cause neuronal (brain cell) death.
3.
Respiratory Disease: A study published in the Journal of Periodontology uncovered a link between gum disease and an increased risk of pneumonia and acute bronchitis.
4.
Diabetes: 95% of US adults with diabetes also have periodontal disease. This is likely because people with diabetes are more susceptible to contracting infections. The link between gum disease and diabetes appears to be a 2-way street. Periodontal disease may also make it more difficult to control blood sugar.
5.
Erectile Dysfunction: Men with periodontal disease are 7x more likely to experience erectile dysfunction. Bacteria can travel through the bloodstream, enflaming blood vessels and blocking flow to the genitals.
6.
Risk of Premature Birth: doctors theorize that one of the main causes of preterm birth is infection in the mother’s body. Premature babies face a host of medical problems including breathing issues and infections. A mom’s dental health can impact this association.
7.
Other Infertility Problems: research found that gum disease could increase the time it takes for a woman to become pregnant. Women with gum disease took an average for 7 months compared to 5 months among their peers without gum disease.
8.
Cancer: Researchers found that men with periodontal disease were 49% more likely to develop kidney cancer, 54% pancreatic cancer and 30% to develop blood cancers. Good dental practices such as visiting your dentist on a regular basis can also help with early detection of oral cancers.
This is good information to share with your patients.