People often make the mistake of separating their oral health from their overall health, considering them two completely different and unrelated concerns. Now we know, through study and research, that they are more connected than we ever realized. We might think that brushing and flossing every day is just for our teeth and gums, but the truth is, our oral health can be a strong indicator of how healthy we are overall.
A good strong focus on dental hygiene will prevent tooth decay and gum disease. It will also defend our bodies from invading medical disorders and other factors that might lead to illness or disease. Similarly, when oral health declines, it increases our risk of more serious health problems. These health issues include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections and dementia just to name a few.
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Diabetes
Of all health issues that can stem from poor oral hygiene, diabetes stands out more than any. It starts when gums become inflamed and swollen causing periodontitis or gum disease. This inflammation of the gum tissue makes it much more difficult to control blood sugar levels, leading to worse diabetes symptoms. What makes things more complicated is that high blood sugar can cause infections, like periodontitis, to get worse. Basically, diabetes and periodontitis end up causing each other to become worse.
The good news is, by making a concerted effort to correct one of the issues, it can help bring the other issue under control.
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Cardiovascular Disease
Over 90% of people who have heart disease also have symptoms of periodontitis. There are no clear reasons why the two are connected, but there is clear evidence showing that they are definitely linked. For one thing, they share some of the same risk factors, such as obesity, smoking, and an unhealthy diet.
Some experts feel that periodontitis plays a role in increasing risk for heart disease. They point out the correlation between inflamed gums and inflamed blood vessels. When blood vessels become inflamed, they allow less blood to flow from the heart to other parts of the body. This can lead to heart attacks or stroke.
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Respiratory Infection
Infection from periodontitis can lead to infection in the lungs. By breathing in bacteria from infected teeth and gums, we are exposing our lungs to the same infection. This might lead to serious illness like pneumonia.
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Dementia
There is now evidence that shows that poor dental health can lead to dementia and even Alzheimer’s disease. Bacteria formed from gingivitis can make its way to the brain, either through nerve cells or through the bloodstream.
The best thing you can do to prevent your oral health from affecting your overall health is to, you guessed it, keep your mouth healthy! If you find yourself dealing with any symptoms of gingivitis or periodontitis, give my office a call at 480-951-2800. I would be happy to meet with you and discuss a plan to help you overcome these dental issues and protect you from illness and disease.
