While more and more people are concerned about their health, there still seems to be a general lack of understanding of the part a person’s oral health has in their overall wellness.
Untreated tooth decay and gum problems can be a portal for bacteria to cause overall health problems and your dentist is your front line of defense to prevent that. Unfortunately, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that more than one-fourth of Americans between the ages of 20-44 suffers from untreated dental decay. The CDC also reports that almost 1 in 5 children have untreated cavities.
Gateway for Bacteria
Because your mouth, nasal cavities, ear canals, and sinuses are an interconnected system, the same germs that cause problems in your mouth are always lurking around in your nasopharynx, and ready and willing to re-colonize your mouth.
Don’t be alarmed by this natural colonization process. Bacteria in the nasal passages rarely cause problems. Proper brushing, flossing, rinsing, mouthwash use and a low-sugar diet make the same true for your mouth.
The same cannot be said if you brush irregularly or incompletely. When proper dental hygiene is not present, resulting acid wastes can attack your teeth and gums. The more immediate result can be tooth discoloration and decay followed by abscesses in the gums, palate, tonsils, and even the parotid or salivary glands.
A Bigger Problem
The interior surfaces of your mouth and even your teeth themselves are a wall of defense that keeps harmless bacteria there from becoming dangerous bacteria in your blood stream.
Acids left behind by bacteria erode those defensive walls and open up breaches in your body’s fortress, allowing germs to flood in. In some extreme cases, these unchecked bacteria-produced toxins that can migrate into and travel through the bloodstream, causing “blood poisoning” or septicemia. At best, that can mean a visit to the ICU and heavy antibiotics. At worst, septicemia can be deadly.
Recent research has shown poor oral health may also complicate:
- Heart disease – The evidence is not conclusive but studies point to a link between heart and gum disease. It is certain that a person who has gum disease is twice as likely to have heart disease as a person who does not have gum disease. Bacteria from bleeding gums can also enter the bloodstream and form clots that stick to blood platelets.
- Diabetes – When inflammatory substances enter the bloodstream, they complicate chronic health conditions like diabetes. By practicing and improving daily oral hygiene, you can help protect your body from these substances.
- Alzheimer’s disease – Studies show a definite increased risk for those with cognitive dysfunction and poor oral health. Other studies reveal that bacteria moves through the body via nerves from tooth roots or through the bloodstream directly.
While a bad tooth will not cause a heart attack, there is no doubt good oral health makes sense as an essential aspect in your overall long term health.