Sure, poor dental care can lead to cavities and number of periodontal diseases, but did you that it can also affect your overall health? Bacteria from your teeth and mouth can find its way to the rest of the organs, resulting in a number of serious consequences. Here’s how poor dental care can affect your overall health:
Diabetic Complications: Periodontal diseases and inflammation in the gums can make it difficult to control your blood sugar levels, causing your diabetic symptoms to worsen. People who suffer from diabetes are also more likely to develop periodontal disease and vice versa. This makes dental hygiene more important for people who have diabetes.
Respiratory Infections: Gum diseases can also result in infection in the lungs and can also give rise to pneumonia. While this connection might not be totally obvious at first, think of the damage from breathing in air that has been infected by your poor teeth and gums over a long period of time.
Cardiovascular Disease: Did you know that not brushing your teeth can have adverse effects on your heart? The bacteria from periodontal diseases and inflamed gums can enter the bloodstream and find their way inside your arteries. Over time, this may result in atherosclerosis, also known as hardening of the arteries. This condition can result in the formation of plaque in the inner walls of the arteries, blocking blood flow throughout the body.
Dementia: Bacteria formed from gingivitis can enter the brain through nerve channels. This can lead to dementia and may also play a lead role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
These are just a few important reasons why you should pay attention to proper dental care. Flossing and brushing your teeth may just help you lead a healthier and happier life.
