Your teeth aren't just about having a beautiful smile or looking good. It has a major role in your general health. Poor oral hygiene can have serious implications on your oral health. Severe dental diseases such as gum disease and tooth decay could affect other parts of your body, such as the heart. In this blog, you will learn how the health of your mouth, teeth and gums could impact your general health.
How are oral health and general health-related?
Like any other part of our body, our mouth will also have mostly harmless bacteria. However, bacteria may cause disease since your mouth is the entry point of both the digestive and respiratory tracts. The bacteria are often kept under control with the help of regular brushing and flossing. However, improper oral hygiene can lead to increased bacteria levels that may cause oral infections. The two common oral diseases include gum disease and tooth decay.
The presence of a dry mouth that is caused due to reduced saliva flow also increases the number of bacteria within the mouth. Saliva plays a crucial role in washing away food and neutralizes the number of acids produced within the mouth. Saliva also acts as a protective layer from microbes. Some reasons dry mouth is caused include antihistamines, painkillers, antidepressants and decongestants.
What diseases can be caused due to poor oral health?
Pneumonia: Some bacteria can be pulled directly into the lungs leading to pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.
Premature birth and low birth weight - Oral diseases such as periodontitis can lead to pregnancy complications such as premature birth and lower birth weight.
Cardiovascular disease: Some research suggests that infections and inflammation caused by oral bacteria could lead to heart disease, stroke and clogged arteries.
Endocarditis: It is an infection that takes place in the inner lining of the heart chambers or valves. It usually happens when bacteria from the mouth or other body parts spread through the bloodstream and attach to certain areas of the heart.
What is the significance of maintaining good oral hygiene?
Good oral health is essential for maintaining general health. The presence of oral diseases such as cavities and gum disease not only causes pain and bad breath but also affects the ability to speak and eat properly. Poor oral hygiene can lead to health problems such as heart disease, pregnancy, diabetes and chronic inflammation such as arthritis. The presence of diabetes can reduce the body's resistance to fight infection, thus causing the gums to be more prone to infection. By maintaining good oral hygiene, oral disease and other dental problems can be eliminated.
What are the key signs of a severe dental problem?
It is desirable to visit good dentist for adults near me if you have the following warning signs such as;
- Pain that does not go away
- Swelling
- Bleeding gums
- Tenderness in the gums
- Visible changes in the color and texture of the soft tissues
- Ulcers that don’t heal
These symptoms could indicate severe oral diseases such as oral cancer, gum disease, etc.
What are the tips for maintaining good dental hygiene?
- Brush your teeth twice a day after meals. Make use of dentist-recommended fluoride toothpaste. Change the toothbrush every three to four months or as soon as the toothbrush's bristles are worn out.
- Floss daily.
- Follow a balanced diet.
- Keep sugar consumption minimal.
- Avoid smoking and the use of alcohol.
- Limit eating acidic beverages.
- Visit the dentist office for adults every six months.
Conclusion
By ensuring regular dental visits wherein the dental office for older adults can diagnose the dental problems in advance and give the proper treatment, you can prevent your teeth from getting affected by oral diseases. Furthermore, by maintaining good oral hygiene, you can keep bacteria, tartar and plaque at bay.