Unhealthy Teeth? The Rest of Your Body Could Be At Risk

There's more to the health of your teeth than a pearly white smile. Oral health has an impact on the development of disease in the rest of the body. Additionally, those who already have certain diseases can be at a higher risk for oral health issues. Let's look at some of the diseases that are related to dental health.

Diabetes

Those with diabetes have elevated blood sugar levels, which translates to more glucose in the saliva. The extra sugar in the saliva provides promotes the growth of plague, which feeds on it. Too much plague leads to gum disease, a condition that is often more severe in those who have diabetes.

The relationship goes both ways. Once you have gum disease, it makes it harder to regulate your blood glucose levels. You can avoid these consequences by carefully managing your blood glucose numbers, keeping them as close to your target as you can. Take extra care to maintain good oral health by brushing and flossing regularly.

Heart disease and hypertension

Bad breath and bleeding gums are more than an unpleasant sign of poor dental health. They might also be warning signs for the development of heart disease. Decay and gum disease can lead to missing teeth, and a study found that missing teeth affect levels of an inflammatory enzyme in the body that contributes to the hardening of arteries. For each tooth that was gone, the levels of the enzyme increased.

That's not where the bad news stops, though. Poor dental hygiene can eventually lead to some 700 types of bacteria entering the bloodstream. That can increase not just the risk for heart-related problems, but other diseases and serious health issues as well.

The same study also found a link between missing teeth and high blood pressure levels, and previous researchers have identified a connection between ongoing gum disease and hypertension.

Decreased mortality

Given the increased risk of other diseases associated with gum disease, it's not all that surprisingly that it also leads to lower levels of mortality. A study found that those with gum disease were two times more likely to die before age 64 than those who didn't have gum disease.

The connections are quite clear. Brushing, flossing, and regular trips the dentist aren't just for those who want a nice smile. These easy habits are essential to the continued health of your body from head to toe.

A healthy lifestyle enthusiast, F.R. writes about keeping our bodies and oral health in prime condition. Look for similar topics from a top dentist in Arlington - team dentist for the Texas Rangers. His specialty is creating beautiful, healthy smiles using stress-free care and a comfortable environment in his Arlington dental office.

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