The Human Body Benefits from Good Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is more than having clean teeth and avoiding cavities. Our bodies actually benefit in many ways when we take care of our teeth and gums. Your mouth is a gateway into your body’s overall health and according to the Academy of General Dentistry, more than 90 percent of all systemic diseases, such as AIDS and Diabetes, produce oral signs and symptoms.
What Are the Risks When You Fail to Take Care of Your Oral Health?
There is mounting evidence that shows an association between poor dental hygiene and a wide variety of illnesses.
Tooth Loss
Adults 20 to 64 have lost an average of seven (permanent) teeth, and 10 percent of Americans between 50 and 64 have no teeth left. Both cavities and gum disease can cause tooth loss. The oft-quoted dentists’ saying is, “You don’t have to brush all of your teeth, just the ones you want to keep”. Daily brushing and flossing will help prevent tooth loss!
Gum Disease
Bleeding gums are an indication that you may have gum disease (Gingivitis) which makes gums red, swollen, and quick-to-bleed. This is a response to the bacteria in the plaque that builds up between your teeth and gums. When plaque spreads, your immune response heightens and can destroy tissues and bones in the mouth, creating pockets between the teeth that can become infected. At this point, periodontitis, a serious gum infection, damages the soft tissue and destroys the bone that supports your teeth. Periodontitis can cause teeth to loosen which leads to tooth loss. Although this is common, it is mostly preventable and is usually the result of poor oral hygiene.
Heart Disease
Multiple studies indicate that there is a connection between gum disease and heart disease. People with gum disease are twice as likely to have coronary artery disease. The bacteria in your mouth enters the bloodstream and attaches to plaque in your arteries, which causes inflammation and increases your chances for developing clots and blockages that lead to heart attacks. Daily oral care is crucial and according to one study, it may reduce your chances of having coronary heart disease.
Diabetes
Diabetes carries a risk factor for periodontitis, and research indicates that the relationship between diabetes and gum disease may be a two-way street. Poor oral health may be a risk factor for diabetes, because it increases inflammation. Some studies have even indicated that in patients with both conditions, controlling periodontitis may improve diabetes control.
Kidney Disease
According to a study cited in the American Journal of Kidney Disease, people with periodontal disease were 4.5 times more likely to have chronic kidney disease (CKD). The study confirmed that periodontitis may be a significant risk for kidney disease, even after controlling for underlying health conditions that contribute to both.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Researchers have discovered that people who don’t brush their teeth regularly were up to 65 percent more likely to have dementia. Bacteria associated with poor dental hygiene may cause this problem by spreading to the brain through the cranial nerve that connects to the jaw through the bloodstream.
Good Oral Hygiene And Routine Dental Check-Ups Are Key to Good Health
Your best weapon against disease and cavities is your toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, dental floss, and regular check-ups with Parker, Colorado dentist Dr. Angela S. Evanson, DDS. To schedule an appointment, please contact Dr. Evanson online or call our office at (720) 409-0008.
The relationship between your oral health and your overall health should provide the incentive to practice good oral hygiene every day. That investment of time in your overall health will pay off now and in the future, too.
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