If you experience some kind of health condition, there may be a chance that it’s a result of having poor oral health. Problems in your mouth, such as swollen or bleeding gums, can negatively affect the rest of your body and vice versa. In order to protect yourself, you must practice good oral hygiene – brush your teeth and floss for a healthier you.

 

The Connection

The human mouth is filled with bacteria, and while most of it is harmless, having poor dental hygiene can change that in the blink of an eye. Having good oral health can keep bacteria under control and aid in the body’s natural defence system. However, poor hygiene can cause an increase in bacteria levels, leading to oral infections, tooth decay and gum disease. A reduction in saliva flow, often caused by certain medications, prevents both food particles from being washed away as well as the neutralization of acids that produce bacteria. Basically, your dry mouth becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.

 

Oral Health Started It

Endocarditis

An infection that affects the inner lining of the heart. This occurs when bacteria from your mouth and other parts of your body spread through your bloodstream, attaching itself to damaged sections of your heart. This condition can lead to life-threatening complications if not treated quickly.

Cardiovascular Disease

According to researchers, bacteria from our mouths can enter the bloodstream and encourage the development of heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke.

Pregnancy

There’s been a link between pregnant women who have periodontitis experiencing premature births and lower birth weight.

 

Conditions That Affect Oral Health

Diabetes

Having diabetes reduces your body’s ability to fight infections, putting your gums at risk of disease. Research claims that having gum disease makes it harder for individuals to control their blood sugar levels, and is more frequent and severe in sufferers. Regular periodontal care may be able to improve the control of diabetes.

HIV/AIDS

A sure sign that you should be tested for HIV/AIDS is if the appearance of mucosal lesions and other oral problems appear in your mouth, as these are common symptoms.

Osteoporosis

Results in brittle bones and can be linked to periodontal bone and tooth loss. Drugs used to treat this disease run the risk of causing damage to the bones in your jaw.

Alzheimer’s Disease

The worsening oral health can be seen as a progression of the disease, as the individual has repeatedly forgotten to take care of their oral health.

 

Preventative Measures

Several ways to improve your oral health include: brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day; limiting between-meal snacking and eating healthier; Replacing your toothbrush every three months, as soon as the bristles start fraying or right after you’ve been sick; avoiding tobacco products and smoking; scheduling regular dental cleanings and contacting your practitioner if problems or discomfort arises.

At Vancity Dental, our highly qualified dentists are committed to providing general, restorative and cosmetic dental care. Located in Vancouver, BC, we offer other dental services that include implants, Invisalign, teeth whitening and botox. With affordable pricing and painless treatments, Call us or visit our website https://vancity.dental to book an appointment.