Oral health goes beyond the state of the teeth, mouth, and gums. Since the mouth is the primary entryway of the body, poor oral health can have negative consequences to the whole body. Some of the indicators of poor oral health are aching teeth, bleeding gums, and terrible smelling breath. Bacteria from the mouth are capable of entering the bloodstream, which can then lead to infection and inflammation. Hence, practicing good oral hygiene and scheduling regular oral exams with the dentist helps prevent serious risk to the body’s overall health.
To make our patients at Sunny Isles Dental realize the importance of practicing good oral health and regular dental visits for oral exams, here are some of the terrifying complications caused by poor oral care:
Dementia
One scary fact is that poor oral health can affect the brain. The substances released from infected and inflamed gums can destroy brain cells and lead to memory loss. Dementia and even Alzheimer’s disease can result from gingivitis which happens when bacteria in the mouth enter the bloodstream or spreads into the nerve channels.
Complications in pregnancy
Practicing good oral hygiene is essential for expectant mothers. During pregnancy, hormonal changes in the body take place, which makes women more susceptible to infection. Unfortunately, any infections present increases the risk of soon to be mothers of developing pregnancy complications. Oral health problems such as gingivitis and periodontitis have been known to cause low birth weight in infants and premature birth.
Infections in the respiratory system
The respiratory system can be negatively affected by poor oral health. Bacteria in the mouth due to teeth infection and swollen gums can reach the lungs through the bloodstream or by being breathed in. Once the bacteria have entered the lungs, it can lead to pneumonia, acute bronchitis, respiratory infections, and even COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
Rheumatoid Arthritis
The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society stated that people with gum disease are four times more susceptible to rheumatoid arthritis. The common thing about these diseases is inflammation. What makes this possible is the bacteria from gingivitis that increases the risk of inflammation all over the body; thus, an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
Protect yourself from future oral health issues by scheduling regular Oral Exams in Sunny Isles Beach, FL! Here at Sunny Isles Dental, we provide the service to detect the earliest signs of oral complications to prevent any overall health complications. Call or visit us to get started.
