When was the last time you had a dental check-up? If you can’t remember, you’re taking your dental health for granted, my friend. You probably do this because you think that dental health cannot have serious consequences or simply because it does not affect your overall health.
But here’s a truth bomb warning. Your dental health can affect your overall health. Surprised? You’ll be even more surprised to learn that dental health is also linked to pneumonia, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, and even heart disease.
Let’s understand how. But first you may want to know more about periodontal disease, the cause of most of these diseases.
Periodontal disease, also called gingivitis, is a serious gum infection that can damage the soft tissue around the teeth. If left untreated, it can destroy the bone that supports your teeth, leading to tooth loss.
The link between dental health and diabetes
It has been observed that there is a bidirectional relationship between dental health and diabetes. This means that periodontal disease can affect the body’s blood glucose control and that diabetic patients are more susceptible to bacterial infections, which can cause gum disease.
It should be noted that diabetic patients tend to have a weaker immune system, which affects the body’s healing ability. This means that there is increased breakdown of periodontal tissues, which can cause further problems. In addition, it is very likely that patients with periodontal disease have a high HbA1C level.
The link between dental health and pneumonia
Research shows that there is a link between pneumonia and dental health. It is said that cavities can cause pneumonia. The theory supporting this claim is that the bacteria from the mouth can travel to the upper respiratory tract to reach the lungs, which can cause pneumonia because the bacteria can more easily adhere to the lungs.
The link between dental health and osteoporosis
Your dental health may not be causing osteoporosis, but osteoporosis can certainly affect your dental health. Osteoporosis causes a loss of bone density, making you more susceptible to fractures and fractures. It turns out that this loss of bone density can impact oral health
The loss of bone density allows bacteria to easily enter, causing gum disease. Not to mention, studies also show that osteoporosis can also cause tooth decay and oral cavity.
The link between dental health and heart disease
This may come as a surprise, but some theories link dental health and cardiovascular problems. Poor dental health can lead to coronary artery disease, clogged arteries and stroke.
Various studies show that people who suffer from periodontal disease have a greater risk of atherosclerosis, which is the accumulation of cholesterol and fats on the walls of the blood vessels. This buildup can cause heart failure and heart attacks. The hypothesis is that the bacteria present in infected gums can enter the bloodstream and travel to the circulatory system, forming inflammatory plaques.
Although there is a link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease, there is no concrete evidence to show that periodontal disease causes heart disease. More research is needed.
What can you do to protect your overall health?
Although no direct links have been established, we need more research to determine whether poor dental health causes these health problems. The research we have is inconclusive. There have also been cases where one study contradicts another. Still, it’s best to stay on the safe side and do our part to maintain good oral hygiene.
For that to happen, you need to change your lifestyle. Just as you swear by a skincare routine to get flawless and glowing skin, you should also practice good oral hygiene to ensure that you avoid dental problems and other body diseases. These are a few tips that may help
- Say NO to smoking and tobacco
- Brush your teeth twice, for at least 2 minutes.
- Floss daily.
- Use mouthwash after eating
- Limit sugary foods and drinks and eat a healthy diet
- Replace your toothbrush every 2-3 months.
- Go for regular dental checkups
