Our mouth is a pathway for bacteria to enter the body. Bacteria can enter the bloodstream and this can also cause infection or inflammation in other parts of our body. Taking good care of your teeth and mouth can keep your body healthy and can also help prevent serious problems in the future. If you have poor oral health, you have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
Bacteria from infected gums enter the bloodstream and can cause inflammation in the heart vessels and heart valve infections. This is especially dangerous if you have pre-existing conditions, such as congestive heart failure. Although rare, the combination can cause infective or bacterial endocarditis, an inflammation of the lining of the heart. Your oral health and immune system go hand in hand.
Our mouth is a gateway to our body and does everything possible to combat anything that compromises our well-being. But if oral hygiene is not controlled, it can have dire consequences for the body. Heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and gum disease and tooth decay have been linked to poor oral health. Practicing daily oral hygiene at home and collaborating with your dentist keep your body healthier.
However, poor oral care causes the gums to recede, called periodontal (gum) disease, which then allows microscopic bacteria to travel throughout the body. Of course, the direct consequences of poor oral health will be seen on the health of your teeth and gums. Not maintaining good oral hygiene can lead to several oral problems, such as gum disease, tooth decay, and even tooth loss. While poor oral health isn't the only factor that determines your overall health, poor oral health can be a risk factor in the development of other diseases.
Having a strong and healthy immune system keeps bacteria in the mouth and the rest of the body under control, minimizing the threat of adverse health effects. Your oral health not only affects breathing and gum health, but it also affects the rest of your body. However, while surgeons have joined the medical elite, dentistry remains a distinctly lower-caste form of health care and an afterthought in our health insurance system.
