It is said that your oral health is directly connected to your overall health. Experts around the globe have studied and come to the conclusion that oral complications, diseases and infections impact a person’s overall health too. As a matter of fact, studies show that your mouth acts as a window to your overall health; an unhealthy mouth which shows symptoms such as weakened gums or teeth or bad breath could potentially be hinting towards complications in other parts of your body. Because of these serious risks, at Smile Family Dentistry we strongly encourage our valued patients to take good care of their teeth and gums.
The bacteria in your mouth and around your teeth are almost always benign, similar to the rest of your body. The difference is that your mouth is an easy point of entry for bacteria to enter your digestive and respiratory tracts because the bacteria that develops in your mouth can also spread to the rest of your body through this entry point. When you brush and floss twice daily, you are removing a good majority of bacteria that can be harmful for the rest of your body. This habit combined with the fact that your body is quite good at fighting off bacteria means that often the bacteria is harmless.
However, there are times when your body may not naturally be able to eliminate these bacteria on its own. These conditions usually arise when these bacteria are able to multiply to a great extent due to the negligence and lack of oral healthcare by the patient. According to the American Dental Association, oral bacteria and the inflammation that comes from the extra bacteria leads to a dangerous gum disease that can play the role of a contributing factor in disease caused in other parts of your body.
Lack of proper oral health care can lead to diseases such as endocarditis, pneumonia, and cardiovascular disease, and may even cause pregnancy and birth complications. For instance, endocarditis is an infection that typically affects and destroys the inner lining of your heart’s chamber. Endocarditis is caused when bacteria and germs from other parts of your body are accumulated inside your heart, due to blood circulation.
Furthermore, although the connection between cardiovascular disease and overall health has not been deciphered entirely, most professionals believe it has to do with the inflammation and decreased immunity to combat infections that oral bacteria cause. Next, experts believe that periodontal disease and premature birth including low weight is linked closely. Furthermore, pneumonia is said to happen because bacteria in your mouth is breathed through your lungs and respiratory tract, which can even lead to more disease.
There are more conditions that are said to be linked to oral health. These are rheumatoid arthritis, eating disorders, certain cancers and a disorder that causes dry mouth found in the immune system. There is a lot of research that explains how your mouth’s health is directly related to your overall health, but nothing is proven in stone, there are only studies and research. Make sure to speak with us if you have any signs of periodontitis, as this can help to prevent more serious and irreversible disease.
As you can tell, your overall health is directly linked to the health of your mouth. In order to prevent such serious issues and diseases from occurring, we recommend brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. Furthermore, we recommend visiting our office for regular cleaning and checkups at least twice a year. Please contact Smile Family Dentistry by calling 925-825-1130 today. We can take care of all your periodontal questions and concerns to keep your mouth at its healthiest.