If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then the mouth is the gateway to your overall health. While dental health focuses on your gums, mouth, and teeth, it has a significant impact on your overall well-being. Since your mouth is an entry point to your body, any issues there can affect the rest of you, making dental care more crucial than you might realize. It’s important to visit your local dentist to maintain oral health. For example, if you’re in North Carolina, you might consider seeing a reputable dentist in Cary for your dental needs.
This article will cover the basics of dental health and its effects on your overall health.
Dental cavities and gum diseases are widespread globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dental diseases impact up to 3.5 billion people worldwide. Over 530 million children have cavities in their primary teeth, and up to 90% of school children have at least one cavity. Nearly 10% of the global population suffers from severe gum diseases, and in many countries, 1 to 10 out of every 100,000 people have oral cancer.
In recent years, dental health has gained importance as research has shown a link between poor dental health and systemic diseases. Healthy teeth and gums contribute to a healthy body. Like other body parts, your mouth is full of mostly harmless bacteria. However, as an entry point to your digestive and respiratory systems, these bacteria can cause diseases.
Typically, good oral hygiene and a strong immune system keep these bacteria in check. But poor dental health can allow them to multiply, leading to infections like tooth decay or gum disease. An increase in bacteria and severe inflammation can make you more prone to gum diseases, which are linked to chronic diseases and health issues.
Here’s how dental health affects your overall well-being:
Maintaining good dental health can lower the risk of respiratory problems. Ignoring an infected tooth or swollen gums can lead to inhaling bacteria from your mouth. These bacteria can travel through your bloodstream to your lungs, causing respiratory infections like pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and acute bronchitis.
Your oral health also directly affects your heart health. Bacteria causing gum disease can be harmful to your heart and blood vessels. When these bacteria enter your bloodstream, they can lead to plaque build-up in your arteries. Over time, this plaque hardens, causing atherosclerosis, a dangerous heart disease characterized by artery hardening. This condition can lead to blood flow issues and blockages, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Severe dental infections can even cause endocarditis, an infection of the heart’s lining.
Oral health is also crucial for the reproductive system. Studies show a link between poor oral health and infertility in women. Experts suggest that gum disease may be one of the factors making it difficult for women to conceive. Evidence indicates that women with poor dental health may take longer to get pregnant than those with healthy mouths and teeth.
Oral health can also affect pregnancy. If a pregnant woman has poor oral hygiene, infections in her mouth can spread throughout her body, increasing complications for the baby. Gingivitis and periodontitis have been linked to premature birth and low birth weight in infants.
Men can also face reproductive issues due to poor dental health. Bacteria from severe mouth infections can enter the bloodstream, causing inflamed blood vessels. This can hinder proper blood flow to the genitals, leading to erectile dysfunction or difficulty achieving erections.
Poor oral health is also linked to a higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Both gum diseases and rheumatoid arthritis share characteristics, such as producing cytokines and growth factors. These chemicals can cause bone dissolution and trigger inflammation. Generally, bacteria from gum infections can worsen inflammation throughout the body, increasing the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
As you can see, maintaining good dental health is about more than just preventing cavities and keeping your smile bright. A healthy mouth and teeth free from infection and decay help reduce the risk of chronic diseases and health issues. So, make sure to practice proper dental care and visit your dentist regularly.
