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To achieve good oral health, you should brush your teeth at least twice per day, and floss once per day.  You also want to restrict your sugar intake, so you don’t feed harmful bacteria in your mouth. Additionally, you should utilize dental services, particularly routine dental visits, to ensure any problems are caught early. While oral health is important to maintain for many reasons, most people are unaware that oral health is closely tied to overall health.

How Oral Health Affects Your Overall Health

Oral health problems are bigger than just unhealthy teeth and gums. In fact, it can have an impact on several parts of your body, including your heart function. You may also develop serious infections in other parts of your body from an oral infection. Oral health problems can affect your pregnancy, as well.

Oral Health and Your Heart

A link between your oral health and heart has been established by many researchers. They have identified a potential connection between gum disease and an elevated risk of heart disease. For one, if you have poor oral health, the bacteria from your gums may enter your bloodstream and reach your heart. It may also affect the lining of the chambers of your heart.

Additionally, research indicates a pattern between coronary artery disease and tooth loss. Researchers also found a relationship between clogged arteries and stroke from infection or inflammation related to oral health.

Periodontal Disease and Diabetes

Periodontal disease is more common in people with diabetes and can make the treatment process for gum disease more complicated.

Researchers are now looking at a connection between gum disease and the onset of type II diabetes. Some research suggests that a person may have higher blood sugar levels if they have gum disease.

You might even be at a greater risk for stroke, kidney or eye damage, and heart attack if you have diabetes and gum disease simultaneously.

Pneumonia

Some of the bacteria that affects your mouth may enter into your lungs. As a result, you could develop pneumonia or other lung-related complications.

For people who already have a lung issue like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the bacteria in your mouth can cause inflammation in your airways and worsen your symptoms or lead to more frequent flareups. In some cases, the bacteria may even cause lung damage.

Pregnancy-Related Complications

Gum disease has been known to cause issues during pregnancy, such as premature birth, preeclampsia, and low birth weight.

Particularly, periodontal disease may lead to preterm birth and low birth weight because the bacteria from gum disease travels through your blood and may activate the production of inflammatory mediators that play a role in delivery. In addition, gum disease may contribute to preeclampsia due to the inflammation caused by the bacteria.

Oral Health Help from Dentist in Plantation, FL

The best way for you to maintain good oral health is with the help of a dentist. At the dental office of Dr. Ernie Soto, we prioritize your oral health above everything else. We will work with you to get and maintain good oral health, so that you can have good well-being and quality of life.

Book an appointment today with Dr. Soto to reduce your risk of oral health problems that can affect your overall health. Contact us at 954-368-6264 or request an appointment online.