Health & Fitness

How Dental Health Affects Overall Health

Oral health is important. That’s why most of us commit to brushing and flossing daily while others go as far as undergoing teeth whitening procedures and buying teeth whitening products such as Pearly Whites Dental Products. But taking care of your teeth will do more than just brighten your smile and prevent cavities. As it turns out, your oral health is connected to your general health. Health issues that originate from the mouth can affect other parts of your body. Certain health conditions in your body can also affect your dental health.

How are Oral Health and Overall Wellness Linked?
Your mouth contains bacteria just like other parts of your body. Your body’s immune response coupled with good oral practices helps to keep the bacteria under control ensuring that they remain harmless. But failure to observe proper dental care can affect your oral health leading to infections. One such infection is gum disease. It is the most prevalent chronic inflammatory condition globally.
According to research, gum disease is associated with other major illnesses such as diabetes. Periodontitis and other forms of gum disease lead to inflammation in the mouth. This inflammation can act as an entry point for bacteria into the bloodstream and later to other parts of the body leading to the following conditions:

  • Cardiovascular disease – The bacteria that leads to periodontal disease and inflammation of the gums can travel through your bloodstream to your heart causing your arteries to harden (atherosclerosis). This increases the risk of stroke and heart
  • attack.Diabetes – According to research, it is harder for diabetic people to control their blood sugar levels. In fact, studies show that treating periodontal disease reduces the need for insulin.
    Respiratory infections – According to the Periodontology Journal, they may be a link between gum disease and lung infections such as pneumonia.
  • Premature births and low birth weights – Research has linked periodontitis to low birth weight and premature births.

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