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How Poor Dental Care Can Affect Overall Health

By Sleep Health Energy Team · · Updated

Dental Affects Overall Health
Contents

We all know the body has many parts. And though it has many parts, all the parts still make up just ONE body.

What does this mean?

It means problems in one part of your body can affect, or be linked to, other parts, even when they seem unrelated.

Your mouth is a good example. It is home to many kinds of bacteria, and it is one of the main entry points into the body.

Most mouth bacteria are harmless. But without good brushing and flossing, plaque builds up and can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, and gum disease has been linked to several other health problems.

Here are the main conditions researchers have linked to poor oral health. In most cases the link is an association; scientists are still working out whether gum disease actually causes them.

​Heart Disease

Poor dental hygiene can lead to periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. Many studies show a link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular diseases.

One theory is that inflammation and bacteria from infected gums may contribute to inflammation in blood vessels. But the two conditions also share risk factors such as smoking, age and diabetes.

A scientific statement from the American Heart Association concluded that studies support an association between gum disease and atherosclerotic heart and blood vessel disease, but not a causal one. There is no evidence yet that treating gum disease prevents heart disease.

Unfortunately, due to busy schedules and endless lines of dental appointments, many people avoid going to the dentist altogether. Thankfully, there is an alternative option for those who need urgent dental care – the emergency dentist.

It’s important to prioritize your dental health and seek treatment as soon as possible, even if it means taking advantage of same-day dental appointments with Emergency-Dentist.

Endocarditis

Endocarditis is an infection that causes inflammation in the inner lining of the heart and its valves.

Endocarditis is caused by bacterial infection that enters the bloodstream and affects the lining of the heart muscles. The bacteria stick to the heart valves and form growths that can damage them. It can be life-threatening, and people with damaged or artificial heart valves are at highest risk.

Periodontal disease causes inflammation and bleeding in the gums, which can let mouth bacteria enter the bloodstream. Some of these bacteria can cause endocarditis.

Research studies show that good daily oral hygiene is an important way to lower the risk of infective endocarditis from mouth bacteria, especially for people at high risk.

Diabetes

People with diabetes are at a higher risk of gum disease. The NIDCR lists diabetes as a risk factor, and poorly controlled blood sugar makes it harder for the body to fight infection and heal.

The link between periodontal disease and diabetes is one of the strongest. High blood sugar can feed gum infection, and serious gum infection may in turn make blood sugar harder to control.

Researchers describe this as a two-way relationship. Good blood sugar control, daily brushing and flossing, and regular dental checkups all help break the cycle.

Premature Labor

Pregnant women should keep up with their oral health. Hormone changes during pregnancy can make gums more prone to inflammation.

Detailed studies have found an association between periodontal disease, premature labor and low birth weight. A recent meta-analysis suggests treating gum disease during pregnancy may lower the risk of preterm birth, but its authors say better-quality trials are still needed.

One theory is that bacteria or inflammatory substances from infected gums may reach the placenta through the bloodstream.

In addition, periodontitis is largely a Gram-negative bacterial infection that produces endotoxins.

Endotoxins can stimulate the production of cytokines and prostaglandins, which play a role in triggering labor. Researchers think this may help explain the association. Dental cleanings and treatment are considered safe during pregnancy.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Several studies suggest a possible connection between periodontal disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers have not found proof that one causes the other.

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that currently has no cure. Periodontal disease, by contrast, can often be prevented, and its early stage can often be reversed with good daily care.

One theory is that gum bacteria or the inflammation they trigger may reach the brain and contribute to Alzheimer’s changes. This is still being studied.

In one large Taiwanese study, people who had chronic periodontitis for 10 years or more had about a 1.7-fold higher risk of Alzheimer’s. That is a roughly 70% higher risk, not 70% of people developing the disease; only about 1.2% of the periodontitis group developed it during the study.

“Our findings support the notion that infectious diseases associated with low-grade inflammation, such as chronic periodontitis, may play a substantial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease,” – Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy, Chung Shan Medical University

Good oral hygiene matters even more in older age, when the immune system tends to weaken.

HIV/AIDS

Now, this bit isn’t to establish that improper oral hygiene can cause HIV/AIDS. This disease is known to be transmitted sexually or through contaminated needles. This portion is to show HOW the STD is related to oral hygiene and diseases.

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. This virus attacks the body’s T-cell (CD4 cells) which are essential for the immune system to fight infections. If the virus destroys enough CD4 cells, the body won’t be able to fend off infections.

People with HIV can be more prone to infections, including gum disease. HIV/AIDS can also cause oral problems that make eating or drinking painful, which can lead to poor nutrition.

The American Dental Association listed these oral problems caused by HIV/AIDS to be the following:

The ADA also advises patients with HIV/AIDS to regularly visit their dentist, regularly take their HIV medications and maintain a healthy dental hygiene practice.

Conclusion

How oral health affects the rest of the body is still an active area of research. Studies are also looking at links with lung infections, rheumatoid arthritis and obesity.

The primary thought to always bear in mind here is the numerous parts of the body are still part of ONE BODY.

Even where the science is unsettled, that is no reason to be complacent and negligent.

Good oral hygiene clearly protects your teeth and gums, and it may also support your overall health.

Brushing your teeth regularly, flossing, rinsing properly, eating healthily and visiting your dentist regularly, even when nothing hurts, are the best ways to prevent oral disease. If you have diabetes, heart valve disease or are pregnant, tell your dentist so they can tailor your care.

We ONLY have ONE BODY in our lifetime. Let’s take care of it any way possible.

About The Author:

The Friendly Dental Group of South Park is a dental practice in the South Park area of Charlotte, providing a wide range of affordable yet prime dental care services, including; teeth whitening, extractions, braces and Invisalign, dentures, tooth fillings, and many other dental care procedures.

The South Park dentists are highly-trained professionals whose primary aim is to give top-of-the-line dental treatments with comfort to every patient that walks through their doors. They accept new patients, walk-ins and emergency patients five days a week.

For more information, visit Friendlydentalgroup.com

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