5 Health Problems You Can Experience From Poor Dental Health

Your mouth is the gateway to your body, and it’s extremely important to keep it healthy. Dental health impacts your entire body and can majorly affect your overall health in a variety of ways.

5 Health Problems You Can Experience From Poor Dental Health

1.  Heart Disease

Bacteria forms in your mouth when you have periodontal problems. When this bacteria flows into your bloodstream, your arteries can harden. Hardening of the arteries leads to an increased risk of a heart attack since it negatively affects blood flow and can result in blockages in the heart.

You are also at an increased risk for a stroke when you suffer from periodontal problems. Fortunately, regular cleanings, brushing, and flossing can help you lower your risks for cardiovascular issues.

2.  Diabetes

Diabetes puts you at risk for a plethora of other problems, such as nerve damage, eye problems, and cancer. That’s why it’s important to avoid this condition when possible. One way to do that is to take care of your oral health.

Gum disease can cause an elevation in blood sugar levels, and this helps lead to diabetes. Once you have diabetes, poor dental health can actually make it harder to manage. The best course of action is to take care of your mouth before you get diabetes. If you already suffer from diabetes, work with your dentist to ensure that you don’t fall victim to infections of the mouth that are complicated by your pre-existing condition.

3.  Rheumatoid Arthritis

Inflammation is a major issue when it comes to oral disease. It’s also a major factor for people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, there is an overlap in people who have poor dental health and those who have rheumatoid arthritis, and it’s significant.

Since avoiding inflammation in the mouth is key to keeping you free from problems like gingivitis, it’s essential to do everything you can to keep your mouth strong. Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful condition that preys on the entire body, and lowering your risk of developing it can be as simple as seeing your dentist regularly and prioritizing good dental habits.

4.  Cancer

Smoking and using chewing tobacco are obviously bad for your oral health. They can lead to mouth and throat cancers that make daily functioning extremely difficult. However, you can avoid tobacco products and still suffer from cancers related to bad oral health.

Kidney and pancreatic cancers are more prominent in people with poor oral health. This could be due to inflammation. It could also be related to the fact that bad oral health and diabetes are connected, and diabetes affects the pancreas and the kidneys.

Cancer can be extremely difficult to treat. It’s better to be proactive about taking care of your mouth so you can lower your risk of dealing with cancer in the future.

5.  Dementia

You rely on your brain for your memory, and it is impacted by everything you do. Not caring for your oral health can actually cause major problems for your brain. One of those is dementia.

Swollen or infected gums can send substances to the brain that kill brain cells. This can lead to the type of memory loss seen in Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. The connection between bad oral health and dementia has been known for a while, and it’s just another reason to never miss a cleaning with your dentist. The best dentist in Cary, NC is ready to help you avoid the consequences of poor oral health.

Taking care of your overall health means making your dental health a priority. You can’t achieve overall physical well-being if you don’t regularly take care of your teeth and gums.