As scientists discover more about the relationship between oral health and your overall health, it has become more important than ever to adopt strategies and tools to positively affect your oral wellbeing. Your state of oral health care affects more than your teeth and gums, it affects (potentially negatively) many systems throughout the body.

According to Chetan from Sheffield dentist Mola Dental “Periodontal disease once was only thought to ruin your good oral hygiene but is now known to negatively impact almost every bodily system it comes in contact with.”

Are There Connections Between Poor Oral Health and General Health Problems?

Clinics all over the world, including the Mayo Clinic in America, have found links between poor tooth and gum management and other, more critical health problems. How can these problems occur from bad mouth hygiene?

When a person’s oral health is poor, the large number of bacteria that live in their mouths can flow from there and make their way into the bloodstream. These bacteria have been linked to higher rates of cardiovascular disease, inflammation, increased risk of pregnancy complications and much more.

Do Tooth Decay and Gum Disease Indicate Health Problems Elsewhere?

Yes. There is evidence to show that those that suffer from HIV/AIDS have oral symptoms such as mucosal lesions (canker sores). Additionally, those with diabetes are more likely to catch gum disease and it has been shown that Alzheimer’s patients have oral hygiene-related symptoms as well.

What Other Conditions Are Linked to Poor Dental Health?

  • Cardiovascular Disease (heart disease): Cardiovascular disease is exacerbated by inflammation, which is caused by the presence of so many extra bacteria in the mouth of a person with poor oral hygiene.
  • Endocarditis: This is caused when the bacteria flow into your blood, creating an infection in the inner part of your heart.
  • Alzheimer’s Disease: As mentioned earlier, Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that tends to have poor oral hygiene as a symptom of that disease running its course.
  • Diabetes: Those with diabetes are less resistant to infection sand because of this, they are far more likely to get gum disease.
  • HIV/AIDS: Another symptom of the HIV virus is the presence of canker sores in the mouth, which turn a bad situation worse when high bacteriacounts and poor hygiene are present.
  • Pneumonia: The bacteria living in your mouth can also travel to your lungs, causing an infection and giving you pneumonia.
  • Mental Health Issues: These concerns typically arise from the look and feel of poor oral hygiene, more so than the physical effect on a person’s body but this doesn’t mean the challenges are trivial. There can be real challenges for those who are afraid to smile or get too close to talk to someone because they are worried about their breath or the look of their teeth.

How Can I Protect My Oral Health and Overall Health?

  • Regular Dental Care and Dental Hygienist Visits
  • Brush your Teeth Twice a Day with Fluoride Toothpaste
  • Floss Daily
  • Use Mouthwash
  • Eat Healthily and Monitor Blood Sugar Levels
  • Avoid Tobacco Use
  • Replace Your Toothbrush Regularly

The best preventative to health problems that are linked to poor oral hygiene is to take the simple steps to ensure a happy and healthy mouth. Find a dental professional near you and see how they can help you come up with a strategy to ensure optimal health for years to come.