How Poor Oral Health Can Ruin Your Overall Health

Poor Oral HealthFailure to floss daily, brush regularly, and visit the dentist and periodontist frequently may not only hurt your smile, it can also have a negative impact on your overall health. Development of periodontitis, or gum disease, may increase risks even further. As the immune system struggles to ward off oral complications, it can leave the rest of the body more prone to ailments and issues. To avoid the following, you should be sure to take good care of your pearly whites.

Heart Conditions

Periodontitis nearly doubles the risk of developing coronary artery disease. While the exact reason behind the correlation isn
t completely clear, researchers believe that harmful bacteria from the mouth may enter the blood stream and attach to fatty plaques in the blood vessels of the heart. This can cause inflammation and increase the chances of having a heart attack.

Blood Sugar Control Issues

While diabetes can make a person more susceptible to tooth and gum problems, the reverse is also true. Gum disease can make it more difficult to regulate blood sugar, which can lead to a host of health complications. Fortunately, when gum disease is treated properly and oral care is made priority, it often makes blood sugar easier to control.

Alzheimer
s Disease Risks

Studies show that there is a link between poor oral health and an increased risk of developing cognitive disorders like dementia. While the exact connection has not yet been determined, experts think that bacteria from the mouth may travel through the nerves or bloodstream and enter the brain. These bacteria may contribute to the buildup of plaques that have been associated with Alzheimer
s disease and other cognitive conditions.

Respiratory Ailments

The risk of contracting respiratory infections increases when gum disease is present. Respiratory ailments may range from minor to severe and include conditions like C.O.P.D. and pneumonia. The issues may be caused when oral bacteria is inhaled, or may be a result of a weakened immune system caused by the body fighting off the oral infection.

Infertility or Pregnancy Complications

On average, women of childbearing age that have gum disease take about two months longer to get pregnant than women with good oral health. Once pregnant, women with gum disease also have a higher risk of miscarriage and complications. These issues may be connected to overall immune health. These issues may also stem from the presence of complications that have been previously listed, such as respiratory or cardiac complications.