Most people have suffered at least one toothache in their lives, while others fairly get by with no problem. Be that as it may, don’t take your lack of toothache as a sign that you’re in tip-top shape. Sometimes, we don’t even know we’re suffering from certain health problems until our dentist points it out from our routine checkup. In today’s article, we’ll discuss how poor dental health can actually affect your overall well-being, understanding the connection so we can maintain optimal overall health.
Is there proof that chronic diseases can be seen in the state of our oral health?
Although many think dentists’ main job is to keep our oral well-being healthy and fix our teeth imperfections with ease, there’s so much more to their jobs than most of us know. This is because dentists like Toorak Dental Studio and other dental health experts are trained to look for potential problems the normal eye doesn’t see. For one, it’s important to understand that the mouth is home to bacteria, which, if left unchecked, can enter the bloodstream, which can later lead to health issues. One of the common telltale signs of possible underlying issues is chronic inflammation since this could be an indicator of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or even respiratory problems.
Periodontal disease is a condition that affects one’s gums. It’s characterized by inflammation of the tissues surrounding your teeth and, in some cases, often leads to bleeding.
Let’s talk about diabetes and how this deadly disease’s warning signs can be seen in our oral health. Diabetes and periodontal disease have a reciprocal relationship. It means if you have one of the two, there’s a chance that you’ll also develop, if not worsen, the other disease’s condition. Having high blood sugar levels can make your periodontal disease worse, and if the latter worsens, it could make controlling your blood sugar harder for you.
There’s also a strong connection between this condition and cardiovascular diseases since periodontal disease is caused by bacteria. As mentioned before, if the bacteria enter the bloodstream, they could make their way to your cardiovascular system, leading to the inflammation of the blood vessels. If this happens, there’s a chance that one can develop a plaque buildup in their arteries, which will in turn lead to a heart attack or stroke.
We can’t forget about respiratory diseases in this topic as well. If the bacteria can travel to the bloodstream and reach one’s cardiovascular system, then it’s also possible for the same bacteria to travel and reach the respiratory system as well. Once it does, it can lead to respiratory illnesses like pneumonia, especially for individuals who have a weak immune system.
On top of these three illnesses, poor oral hygiene can also cause pregnant women to give birth earlier, with their babies having low birth weight. Pregnant women have it rough since they undergo hormonal changes, and one of the possible detriments of such hormonal changes can make them susceptible to bacterial infections. These very infections can thus induce premature labor that leads to preterm birth.
How does our oral health affect our emotional well-being?
Besides physical health, one’s poor oral well-being can also affect one’s mental and emotional health negatively. Compared to people who have a complete and healthy set of teeth, individuals with missing teeth or suffering from other oral problems like bad breath and gum disease are withdrawn and have low self-esteem. They could develop social anxiety, which makes it harder for them to connect with others for fear of being judged because of their oral conditions.
People with gum and dental problems may also be in constant pain, which adds to their discomfort. If they’re left unchecked, this could even lead to depression, isolating themselves as they struggle with not only their dental but also mental problems.
How taking preventative measures and early intervention saves us in the long run.
All the aforementioned issues are concerning, but all of them can be avoided if you practice preventative care. This is why visiting your dentist regularly is important because they can do professional cleaning and check your overall oral health for possible problems. Sure, you could say that you never forgot to brush, floss, and rinse your mouth, but this basic oral care can only do so much. Professional cleaning is needed so that the dentist can thoroughly clean the hard-to-reach places where plaque buildup is prominent.
Don’t take your oral health for granted.
To wrap it up, good oral health is more than having a dazzling smile and healthy gums; it’s also an indicator of good health. Make sure to visit your dentist regularly so they can check for possible oral issues and treat them before they get worse so you can continue living healthily.
