A lot of people don’t know the fact that oral health indicates overall body health in many ways. Also, if you have oral health problems, other health issues can arise as well. It is very important for us to know exactly what we can be dealing with when it comes to the body. There is a lot more to good oral health than an average person knows.
In fact, caring for your teeth and gums can keep oral health high for longer periods of time. If you can improve your home dental care, procedures like dental implants can be avoided. All these are painful and costly procedures that are best avoided. So, read through to find out the connection between your oral health and overall body health:
How Oral Health Affects a Person’s Overall Health?
Out mouth is always one of the most bacteria filled parts of the body. The mouth is where food enters our body. If these bacteria can get stuck on your teeth or gums for long enough, they can cause oral health problems.
People who brush their teeth twice daily floss regularly, and also use mouthwash after meals, tend to keep bacterial infections away. If any of these oral care methods are neglected, bacteria can find their way in. These may lead to early tooth decay or gum disease.
Of course, these bacterial infections can then travel deeper into the body through the food track. Medications like antihistamines, decongestants, diuretics, painkillers, and a few others can also reduce saliva production. This saliva is required to wash food down neutralizing bacterial acids in the mouth.
Studies have shown that inflammation associated with severe gum disease can lead to other bodily diseases. Also, conditions including HIV/AIDS and diabetes can reduce infection resistance. This can lower oral health, even more, when left unchecked.
Some Conditions That Are Linked with Oral Health
People develop certain conditions when there are problems with dental or oral health. Some of these are more serious than others. These include:
- Cardiovascular Disease – Experts still do not understand this connection to the full extent. However, research has proven that clogged arteries that give rise to heart conditions and possibly stroke can be linked to oral bacteria infections and inflammation. This can escalate quickly to unwanted scenarios.
- Endocarditis – This is a condition where the inner lining of the heart chambers develops an infection. Valves of the heart develop problems when bacteria from the mouth or other parts of the body enter the bloodstream. Bacteria can attach to inner areas of the heart causing problems.
- Pneumonia – Longer bacterial infections can cause the bacteria to enter the lungs. This is where they might collect and cause conditions like pneumonia.
- Pregnancy and Birth Complications – Another condition that has been linked with oral infections is periodontitis in woman. This may lead to premature birth and also low birth weight in some cases.
Some Conditions That May Affect Oral Health
Also, there are some bodily conditions or health problems that can affect your oral health as well. These will include:
- HIV/AIDS – Painful mucosal lesions and some other oral problems are found in people who have HIV/AIDS. These are found frequently amongst patients.
- Diabetes – Diabetes is a complex condition. What it does is reduces the body’s infection resistance. This puts your gums at risk. This is why gum disease is frequently found in diabetic people, especially in older age groups. Also, gum disease makes it hard for patients to control their sugar levels. Patients can improve diabetes control with regular periodontal.
- Alzheimer’s Disease – People with Alzheimer’s disease are observed to have worsening oral health. Complications can be many and different in different cases.
- Osteoporosis – Somewhat surprisingly, tooth loss or decay is also linked with bone-weakening conditions. Also, a certain medication that is used to treat osteoporosis can carry a small jaw bone damage risk as well.
How to Protect Your Oral Health Best?
So, the thing you know for sure is to try and keep your oral health high. There can be certain home oral care steps that can lead the way in your fight for good oral health.
- Make sure to brush your teeth twice a day. Brushing teeth before going to bed is very important. This is when you want to kill and get rid of all bacteria in the mouth. Use a soft brush with good fluoride toothpaste for best results. Brushing teeth regularly keeps tooth decay and implant surgeries away. Make sure to replace your toothbrush every three months or so.
- Floss your teeth at least once a day. Usually, brushing teeth at night before going to bed is a great time. However, other times can be chosen for flossing too.
- Rinse the mouth with a fluoride mouthwash after meals. This gets rid of all those residual food particles that may cause bacterial infections and tooth decay or gum disease.
- Limit sugary foods and drinks. Eat fresh crunchy greens more often.
- Visit your dentist at least once a year even if you have no problems. Visiting the dentist twice a year is a great routine as well. Professional dentists will identify problems as they begin without letting them settle for long. You can check out Dentist in rockefeller center if you’re looking for one right now.
- Say no to tobacco. Smoking is bad enough. Some people might also chew tobacco. This is the worst application of tobacco. It has high bacteria and fungal properties. Also, cutting down on alcohol helps keep oral and body health high as well.