Why schedule an appointment for dental care if nothing's wrong? Because preventive care can stop bad oral health before it leads to other health problems.
A lot of people pay close attention to their physical health by eating nutritious food and engaging in regular exercise. We’ll go to great lengths to find the right medications, specialists, and dietary strategies to improve our body’s overall health. Unfortunately, many of us pay a bit less attention to our oral health. As long as we’re not feeling any pain or discomfort, we tend to take our oral health for granted.
It might surprise you to learn that bad oral hygiene can have severe negative effects on your overall health. Since our job is to keep you safe and healthy, here’s some inside information about four health issues that can be caused by bad oral health.
Infections
Damaged teeth often lead to infections, regardless of how well you keep up on oral hygiene. When a tooth is broken, cracked, or has a cavity, bacteria can get in the crevices and progress further into the tooth. Once inside, those bacteria eventually reach the nerve and blood vessels of the tooth, or what’s known as the dental “pulp.”
Bacterial infections can cause intense pain and spread from the tooth to the surrounding structures, including the nearby bone and bloodstream. This can cause serious health problems, which early treatment could have prevented.
Diabetes
Bad oral health can lead to infected gums, which can progress into periodontal disease. If you have poorly controlled diabetes, higher blood sugar levels in your oral fluids can encourage bacteria to grow more quickly, putting you at a higher risk of developing periodontal disease.
Additionally, diabetes makes healing more difficult, which would make you more likely to have long-lasting damage from poor oral hygiene. It’s important to note, though, that having gum disease isn’t necessarily proven to increase someone’s risk of developing diabetes.
Malnourishment
Healthy fresh foods, like meats and vegetables, are harder to chew than soft, highly processed foods. While softer foods are easier on an inflamed mouth, they are usually less nutritious.
If you’re not consuming enough calories, or you are relying on smoothies and shakes to get enough calories, you could be missing out on vital macronutrients and micronutrients. When your teeth are healthy, it’s easier for your body to get the nourishment it needs to stay healthier.
Arthritis
Did you know that making regular appointments with a dentist office can also help prevent rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
Recent studies suggest that people who have gum disease are four times as likely to have RA. Bacteria caused by gingivitis spreads throughout the body, increasing inflammation.
So bad oral health only increases arthritis pain, but it can also increase your chances of developing RA.
Are You Looking for Affordable Dental Care?
Full body health includes oral health. If it’s been a while since you’ve seen a dentist, contact Bass Dentistry to schedule a dental appointment online today.
We provide compassionate dental care for people of all ages, from all walks of life. Our goal is to make sure every one of our patients feels comfortable and confident in our ability to treat them.
Our clinic offers everything from exams and cleaning to crown placements and tooth extractions. We would love to work with you to help improve your oral health.
Healthy Gums,
Healthy Life
If dental health is important to you and your family, take steps to know how to keep your gums healthy. Gum health is essential to maintaining healthy teeth and overall good dental hygiene. Brush and floss multiple times per day, avoid tobacco products, and use a therapeutic mouthwash.
If you want to know more about maintaining a healthy smile, book an appointment today with Bass Dentistry.
