How Cavities and Gum Disease Affect the Rest of Your Body

Taking care of your teeth and gums so you can keep your teeth and gums is a pretty good argument for good dental care.

It has even more value when you see how closely the health of your mouth is connected your overall health.

Oral health provides insight into the rest of your body. One study even suggests that people with gum disease are 40% more likely to have a chronic condition on top of it.

How can bad teeth affect your body?

There are over 500 species of bacteria living in your mouth at any given time. Those bacteria build plaque on teeth and at the gum line, causing gingivitis and periodontitis. They normally can’t enter your bloodstream, but some conditions allow it.

o If you have gum disease, routine brushing can create a “port of entry” for the bacteria.o Invasive dental treatments may also make it possible.o A lack of saliva can cause imbalances in the mouth, leading to bacterial buildup.

A healthy immune system will normally kill these bacteria, but a weak one may leave you vulnerable.

Conditions that might be caused by bad oral health

Note that the current research is showing an association between these conditions and mouth infections, but more will be needed to determine whether oral infections actually cause them.

Endocarditis – An infection of the inner lining of the heart that may be caused when oral bacteria in the blood attaches to damaged areas of heart.

Cardiovascular disease – The inflammation and infections caused by oral bacteria may contribute to heart disease, clogged arteries, and stroke.

o Up to 91% of patients with heart disease have periodontitis Premature birth – Periodontitis has been linked to premature births and low birth weights,

because infections and inflammation in general may interfere with proper fetus development.o According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, as many as 18%

of preterm, low-birth-weight babies born in the United States each year could be attributed to oral infections.

Diabetes – Inflammation that starts in the mouth seems to weaken the body’s ability to control blood sugar.

Conditions that may contribute to oral health problems

Diabetes – Diabetes is on both sides of this equation. It reduces the body’s resistance to infection, putting gums at a higher risk for gum disease.

HIV/AIDS – Painful mucosal lesions are more common in people who have HIV/AIDS.

Osteoporosis – Periodontal bone loss is similar to osteoporosis, so research is looking into a possible link.

The Solution

Take care of yourself by taking a comprehensive approach to health. Oral health is a critical part of your overall wellbeing, so that means you need to:

Brush and floss daily Eat healthy foods Limit sugary snacks that stick to your teeth Get regular checkups

Resources:

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/oral-health-the-mouth-body-connection

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475

http://www.colgateprofessional.com/patient-education/articles/why-a-healthy-mouth-is-good-for-your-body

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How Cavities and Gum Disease Affect the Rest of Your Body

If you want to keep your teeth and gums in good shape for the whole of your life, it’s going to require some dedicated dental care. However, more and more research is starting to show how the health of your mouth can actually impact your overall health, so you have even more reasons to keep up your daily dental routines.

Your oral health can provide some insight into the rest of your body. In fact, one study found that people with gum disease were 40% more likely to have a chronic condition on top of it.

There are over 500 species of bacteria setting up shop in your mouth right now. Together, they can form plaque, which can build up on your teeth and gum lines and cause gingivitis and periodontitis. If these bacteria get into your bloodstream, they can cause infections and inflammations in other parts of the body.

If these infections occur, it could lead to:

Endocarditis Cardiovascular disease Premature births Diabetes

As it turns out, the condition of your mouth could also indicate that you already have some other problems. For example, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and osteoporosis could have an impact on the health of your mouth.

If you want to avoid these problem, then increasing your focus on dental care would not be amiss. Brush and floss daily, eat healthy foods, and get regular checkups to keep your teeth and gums in good shape. In return, you may have a positive impact on your overall wellbeing.

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Taking care of your teeth and gums can help you keep your teeth and gums, but it could also help you maintain your overall health. Check out the infographic to learn more.

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More and more research suggests that there is a strong link between your oral health and overall health. Take a look at this infographic to see how tooth decay and gingivitis may be causing more problems in your body.

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*How Cavities and Gum Disease Affect the Rest of Your Body*

More and more research is suggesting that there is a strong link between your oral health and overall health. There appears to be many links between the condition of your teeth and gums and other parts of your body. For example, there may be a connection between oral health and:

Endocarditis Cardiovascular disease Premature births Diabetes

Take a look at our infographic for more detailed information on how dental health and general health may be linked.

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