Everyone knows bad oral hygiene causes cavities, but what about the rest of your body? Neglecting your teeth and gums can have serious consequences for your heart, lungs, and other parts of your body. The main culprit is usually periodontal disease, which is inflammation of the gums. These are some of the serious ways bad oral hygiene can manifest itself:
- Cardiovascular Disease
The bacteria from periodontal disease can spread itself to the arteries in the heart, causing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Atherosclerosis causes plaque on the inside of the arteries, which hardens and restricts blood flow. This increases your risk for a heart attack or stroke. Bacteria can also spread from your mouth to your heart, causing endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart. - Diabetes
People who suffer from diabetes are shown to be more susceptible to gum disease because they are more prone to infection. On the other hand, inflammation can weaken your body’s ability to control blood sugar, making you more susceptible to diabetes. Having regular dental care can lower your risk for diabetes and improve diabetes control.wholesale auto parts - Dementia
The bacteria in the gingiva can enter the brain through nerve channels in the head or the bloodstream. This can cause brain cell death, leading to dementia. The inflammation can progress and even lead to Alzheimer’s. - Cancer
Bad oral hygiene has even been linked to certain types cancer. A study showed men who had gum disease had an increased risk for pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer and blood cancer, sometimes by over 50%. Bad oral hygiene is also directly linked to oral cancer. - Respiratory Infections
Having poor oral hygiene can even affect your lungs, causing diseases such as pneumonia and COPD. Bacteria in the teeth and gums can cause these infections when breathed in. - Pregnancy and Birth
Poor oral hygiene has been linked to low birth rate and prematurity. Additionally, women with gum disease are shown to take longer to become pregnant. A study showed that women of with gum disease took just over seven months to become pregnant, while most women take about five months.
These diseases are all easily preventable with proper dental and periodontal care. Visiting your Chicago dentist every six months, as well as proper flossing and brushing, will not only decrease your risk of cavities, but keep a number of other problems at bay. Visit https://www.artofmoderndentistry.com/ dentist as soon as a problem arises to get it taken care of right away.
