Taking care of your dental health is crucial, as it impacts not only your teeth but also your overall well-being. Neglecting your oral hygiene can lead to various health issues, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other complex conditions. It may seem surprising, but there is a strong correlation between poor dental health and serious medical concerns. Therefore, it’s essential to prioritize your dental health to maintain optimal health and prevent potential health problems.
Poor dental health also has negative effects on pregnancy and your newborn baby. If you are living in Australia, you can get the benefits of the Child Dental Benefit Scheme for your child. But maintaining your oral health can never be overlooked.
So, here we have come up with a brief discussion on what are the risks associated with poor dental health and why maintain your oral hygiene.
Cardiovascular Health
Several studies have shown that gum inflammation is directly linked with increased risks of heart disease and stroke. This can be because gum inflammation is not just restricted to your gums, but increases the inflammation throughout the body. And that can lead to cardiovascular diseases.
Extended bacterial exposure can lead to gum disease and that can raise the inflammation level of the complete body. And as inflammation can lead to heart diseases, gum disease thus can lead to more serious cardiovascular disease.
Hence, it’s always better to have a regular dental check-up and take action as soon as some oral disease is noted forming.
Diabetes
It’s commonly known that people with diabetes are more prone to gum diseases, but recent studies show that the reverse can also be true. Some new studies show that serious gum disease can lead to diabetes. This is because gum disease affects your blood glucose control, leading to a severe issue like diabetes.
Remember that periodontal diseases are mostly infections and the bacteria responsible for them produce toxins that affect the carbohydrate metabolism in cells. So poor dental health can lead to more severe issues like diabetes.
Lung Infections
The periodontal disease makes your mouth a breeding ground for bacteria. Bacteria are present in our mouth normally as well, but gum disease causes more bacteria in our mouths. So, people with gum disease are more likely to inhale germs that can sometimes lead to complex lung diseases like pneumonia.
Things can be even worse if you have a pre-existing lung condition like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). In such cases, inhaling germs can worsen the situation.
Pregnancy and Your Baby
Pregnant women with progressive gum disease are a risk to the baby. They are more likely to develop gestational diabetes and deliver a baby with low-birth-weight. Risks of preterm delivery to increase with gum disease.
Babies born with low birth weight or pre-term are at a higher risk of developing serious conditions like asthma, ear infections, behavioral difficulties, and other developmental problems. They are also at a higher risk of infant death.
So, pregnant women should take extra care of their oral health, have regular dental checkups, and keep their teeth at their best not only for themselves but for the sake of their babies.
How to Maintain Good Oral Health
Maintaining good oral health is thus necessary for the reasons mentioned. Visiting your dentist regularly will not only help keep your mouth clean but also allow you to know if any issues are forming. Some healthy dental practices include:
- Brushing twice daily with a fluoridated toothpaste
- Flossing
- Maintaining a healthy diet to gain nutrients
- Avoiding tobacco and cigarettes
Maintaining your dental health is thus of prime importance for the reasons explained above. If you are living in Australia, you can even reap the benefits of the Child Dental Benefit Scheme that will help you take care of your child’s oral health.
