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Have you ever stopped mid-brush to ponder the mysteries of your mouth? If you haven’t, you might be interested to know, it’s more than just the home to your radiant smile; it's a bustling metropolis of bacteria, both friendly and not-so-friendly, which is why the health of your mouth can have serious consequences for the health of your whole body too.
That being the case, let’s take a look at some of the most common ways poor oral health can lead to poor general health:
1. Heart Disease
You probably don't draw much of a connection between your heart and your mouth, apart from the fact they both belong to you, but there is a surprisingly deep connection between the two. You see, inflamed gums can lead to inflamed arteries, increasing your risk of heart troubles significantly. So, next time you're brushing, think of it as a love letter to your heart.
2. Diabetes
Your dentist will tell you that sweet tooth might be more connected to diabetes than you ever thought possible. Gum disease can make it harder for your body to control your blood sugar levels, and high blood sugar encourages infections to grow, and yes, that includes gum infections too. Talk about a sticky situation! The good news is, proper dental care can lower your risk, and as such, it is an important part of preventing and managing diabetes.
3. Respiratory Infections
Take a deep breath and consider this: the bacteria breeding in your mouth might end up in your lungs. Scary, right? You see, poor oral hygiene can lead to respiratory infections like pneumonia taking root in your body, and that is something nobody wants to experience if they don’t have to! So, it’s fair to say that brushing your teeth might actually help you breathe easier - who knew?!
4. Pregnancy Complications
Expecting moms, listen up! Gum disease has been linked to premature births and a low birth rate in newborns, so it is really important that you take extra special care of your oral health when you are pregnant, and see your dentist regularly if you want to ensure that things go as smoothly as they possibly can for both you and your little one.
5. Osteoporosis
Believe it or not, the state of your teeth might reflect the state of your bones. Osteoporosis can very quickly lead to tooth loss, and some treatments for this bone-weakening disease can affect your jaw in a sadly negative way, which is why it is important to get lots of calcium and do lots of load-bearing exercises as you age if you want to keep your body and your teeth in the best possible condition.
As you can see, the state of your mouth can often be reflected in the state of your health overall, so it is really important to care for your teeth and gums and see a dentist regularly if you want to, not only have a great smile, but be as healthy as possible too.
