It’s obvious that we should take good care of our teeth and gums.
Still there are very few people who really understand how important Oral Health is for our overall health. Our mouth is the ultimate gateway into our body, so any bacteria from our mouth can travel to other parts of our body and put us at risk for other conditions and diseases.
So what does this mean for your overall health and well-being? It means a lot, and here are some of the most serious effects of poor dental hygiene on your body.
Diabetes. By reducing the body’s resistance to infection, diabetes puts your gums at risk. Gum disease appears to be more frequent and severe among people who have diabetes. Diabetes that is not controlled well leads to higher blood sugar (glucose) levels in the mouth fluids. This promotes the growth of bacteria that can cause gum disease. On the other hand, infections from untreated periodontal disease can cause the blood sugar to rise and make it harder to control diabetes.
Regular periodontal care can improve diabetes control.
Respiratory Infections
We have around 700 different bacterias in our mouth. Some of them are harmful and some are not. But an increase in the number of bacterias can create problems for teeth, gums, and the rest of the mouth. This can also affect the rest of the body if not taken care of. The harmful bacteria can cause tooth decay, inflammation, bleeding gums, and similar dental problems. If these issues are not treated on time, you may get an infection. The bacteria can further spread to your lungs, heart, and other systems.
According to the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, there are two ways that oral bacteria reach other body parts. First, we breathe bacteria into our lungs. According to the University of Missouri, tiny saliva droplets are carried to and from the mouth as you breathe. This bacteria can be held in your saliva. We breathe in germs all the time, and it’s taken care of by the immune system of our body. But if our immune system is already busy fighting oral bacteria it will be less effective on the other bacterias. This can irritate and inflame lung tissue.
The second way of bacteria into the rest of the body is through the bloodstream. As gum disease breaks down gum tissues, it leaves your mouth vulnerable to further infection. The bacteria enter into the bloodstream and can cause body-wide inflammation.
The best part is that all this can be prevented by taking regular dental care.
Treating dental and oral problems
Even if you’ve been taking good care of your teeth, you’ll still need to have a Professional Cleaning twice a year during a routine visit with your dentist. Your dentist will recommend further treatments if you show signs of gum disease, infections, or other problems.
A professional cleaning can get rid of any plaque you may have missed while brushing and flossing. It’ll also remove tartar. These cleanings are usually performed by a dental hygienist. After all the tartar is removed from your teeth, the hygienist uses ultrasonic scaling to perform the cleaning and then may do root planing if required. This is followed by flossing and rinsing to wash out any debris.
A deep cleaning is also known as scaling and root planing. It removes tartar from above and below the gumline that can’t be reached during a routine cleaning.
Teeth Cleaning Tips
Here are a few highly effective tips to help keep your teeth in tip-top shape.
Change your toothbrush every two months. This helps minimize the amount of bacteria on the brush and therefore minimizes how much bacteria you transfer back into your mouth.
Eat foods that are firm. This helps clean your teeth as you eat. Carrots, apples, and celery are just a few examples of firm, teeth-cleaning foods.
Conclusion
Poor Oral Hygiene may not be something that you think about on a regular basis, but it should be. Not taking good care of your teeth and your gums can put you at serious risk for various diseases and conditions that may progress and become potentially fatal.
Take care of your teeth and gum and see your dentist at “Signature Smilez Family Dental” for your scheduled check-up.