Dental Health Affects More Than Just Your Mouth
It’s common knowledge that brushing and flossing your teeth, as well as visiting your dentist regularly, are important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. But did you know that poor oral hygiene can affect not only your dental health, but also your health overall? As your trusted orthodontist, Lindsey Orthodontics is committed to creating beautiful and healthy smiles for each of our patients. That’s why we strive to educate our patients so that they can be as informed as possible when it comes to caring for their smiles. Read on to discover 6 consequences of bad dental hygiene.
Pancreatic Cancer
While researchers don’t fully understand the link, it is believed that the bacteria that cause gum disease also play a role in the onset of a particularly deadly illness—pancreatic cancer. Thus, poor dental hygiene increases your risk of developing this cancer.
Respiratory Problems
Neglecting to follow a proper oral hygiene routine can lead to gum disease and an increased risk of respiratory infections, including pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and others.
Heart Disease
Gum disease can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, which can cause hardening of the arteries. In turn, plaque may build up on the inner walls of the arteries, causing a decrease in blood flow, and increasing your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues.
Fertility Issues
Research has found links between bad dental hygiene and erectile dysfunction and abnormal sperm counts in men. It also contributes to pregnancy complications such as low birth weight and premature birth in women.
Dementia
Bad dental health can increase your risk of developing dementia later on in life. When a tooth is lost due to decay, this is even more true.
Diabetic Complications
Gum disease makes it much harder for diabetic patients to keep their blood sugar under control. This can cause diabetic symptoms to worsen to a troubling degree.
Visit Your Griffin Orthodontist Today
To keep your mouth and your body healthy, your orthodontist recommends that all patients brush their teeth at least twice a day, and floss daily, in addition to regularly visiting the dentist for professional cleanings and exams. After all, cavities, gum issues, and tooth decay don’t just affect your mouth with terrible pain—they leave you vulnerable to a whole host of physical problems and illnesses. So, don’t put your health at risk by neglecting to care for your teeth and gums. If you have any questions regarding dental health & hygiene, we welcome you to contact us, or book an appointment today. We look forward to hearing from you!