What Are the Consequences of Neglecting Your Teeth?
The American Dental Association, cites that taking care of your oral health is more than preventing cavities. Your mouth is the gateway to your body’s overall health and neglecting your teeth can lead to other major diseases.
What are the Consequences of Neglecting Your Teeth?
Cavities are the most obvious result of neglecting your teeth, but neglecting your dental hygiene can have an extreme impact on your general health. Research shows an association between neglecting dental hygiene and several illnesses as follows.
Kidney Disease
A study cited in the American Journal of Kidney Disease, individuals with gum 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.
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 heart disease. This is due to the bacteria from your mouth entering your bloodstream. The bacteria attaches itself to plaque in your arteries, causing inflammation and increasing your chances for developing clots and blockages that lead to heart attacks. According to one study, improving your oral health can potentially reduce coronary heart disease.
Diabetes
Diabetes has been known to be a risk factor for periodontitis, but research is showing that the relationship between diabetes and gum disease are symbiotic . Studies indicate that when patients are affected by both conditions, controlling periodontitis may improve diabetes control.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Researchers have found that people with poor oral hygiene were up to 65 percent more likely to have dementia. Oral bacteria may spread to the brain through the cranial nerve that connects to the jaw through the bloodstream.
Halitosis (Bad Breath)
Garlic and onions aren’t the only things to cause bad breath. Poor oral hygiene is the main cause of halitosis. Bacteria thrive in a dirty mouth. You must remove the bacteria by brushing and flossing every day, otherwise bacteria will grow, causing bad breath and cavities.
Gingivitis (Gum Disease)
Do you have bleeding gums when you brush and floss your teeth? If this is happening to you, you likely have gum disease. Gingivitis, is the milder form of gum disease which makes your gums red, swollen, and they bleed easily. This is due to bacteria and plaque that builds up between your gums and teeth. Surprisingly, more than half of all Americans have gingivitis. Although this is a common problem, it is preventable because it is usually due to poor oral hygiene.
Tooth Loss
Have you ever worried about losing your teeth? Do your teeth feel loose? Adults from 20 to 64 years old have lost an average of seven (permanent) teeth, and 10 percent of Americans between 50 and 64 years old have lost all their teeth. Cavities and gum disease are one of the leading causes of tooth loss. You’ve no doubt heard the saying dentists use, “You don’t have to brush all of your teeth, just the ones you want to keep”.
Regular Dental Appointments are the Key to Taking Care if Your Teeth
Routine check-ups with Dr. Angela S. Evanson, DDS, along with good dental hygiene at home is the best defense against cavities and gum disease. Your toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, dental floss, and regular dental check-ups will keep you on track for a healthy mouth.
Call (720) 409-0008 to make an appointment or contact us online. If you need to “brush up” on your oral hygiene, now is the time to improve your oral habits and quit neglecting your teeth.
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