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Oral Health and Overall Health? Are They Connected?
Have you ever thought about how your teeth and gums may be connected to the rest of your body? While some people think their dental health is not related to their overall health, the truth is something else! Your oral health can affect your overall well-being. In today’s blog post, our Dentist Perth decided to explain the surprising connection between oral health and overall health. Be with us!
How Poor Oral Health Can Harm Your Body
You may not know that your oral health can be connected to the health of the rest of your body. When your mouth isn’t healthy, harmful bacteria may get into your blood and cause inflammation. This can affect vital organs like your heart, lungs, and even your digestive system.
Heart Health Issues
Did you know that poor oral health may put your heart in danger?! Gum disease happens if you do not brush and floss your teeth properly and regularly, and plaque builds up on your teeth and causes your gums to get inflamed. When your gums are inflamed from gum disease, harmful bacteria may get into your blood, contribute to the buildup of plaque in your arteries, and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Diabetes Complications
If you have diabetes, keeping your mouth healthy is even more important. Poor oral health may make it harder for your body to control your blood sugar levels, which may lead to more spikes and complications. By taking good care of your teeth and gums, you can help keep your diabetes more stable and protect your overall health.
Respiratory Problems
You may not think that your mouth and lungs are connected, but they are! If you have gum disease, harmful bacteria from your mouth may get into your lungs when you breathe. This may increase your risk of infections like pneumonia and make existing conditions like asthma or COPD worse.
Pregnancy Complications
If you’re pregnant, it’s more important to keep your mouth healthy. Oral health problems like gum disease may increase the risk of premature birth and low birth weight. Gum disease can cause inflammation and this can affect your body’s ability to maintain a pregnancy until the due date. Taking care of your teeth and gums during pregnancy can help protect both your health and your baby’s health.
Digestive Issues
Good digestion starts with your mouth. If you have tooth pain, gum problems, or missing teeth, it can make chewing difficult. When you can’t chew properly, your body may not be able to digest food and absorb nutrients properly. Therefore, keeping your teeth and gums healthy makes it easier to eat and helps your body digest food better.
Increased Risk of Oral Cancer
Poor oral health, especially if you have gum disease or smoke, may increase your risk of developing oral cancer. Persistent inflammation and infections in your mouth can damage cells over time, which can make it easier for cancer to grow.
Warning Signs: When Your Mouth Is Telling You Something’s Wrong
Your mouth often gives you early warning signs when something isn’t right. If you notice these signs, pay attention to them and visit your dentist early to prevent both oral health and general health problems.
Bleeding Gums
If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, it’s not normal; it could be an early sign of gum disease. Bleeding gums mean that your gums are inflamed, which can lead to more serious problems if you leave them untreated. If your gums bleed regularly, schedule an appointment with your dentist to have them examined.
For fast and reliable emergency dental care, trust our emergency dentist Perth.
Persistent Bad Breath
Bad breath that doesn’t go away, even after you brush your teeth, could mean that there’s a problem. If you often have bad breath, it could be a sign of gum disease, an infection, or a problem with your digestion. If you’ve tried everything and still struggle with bad breath, it’s time to see your dentist.
Loose or Shifting Teeth
If your teeth feel loose or start shifting, that’s a warning sign. It could mean you have advanced gum disease or the bone around your teeth is getting weaker. Do not ignore teeth that feel loose or are moving because it may be a sign of a serious dental issue.
Tooth Sensitivity or Pain
If your teeth hurt or feel sensitive when you eat something cold or drink a hot beverage, it could be a sign that something’s wrong. Tooth sensitivity or pain could mean that your enamel may be worn or you have a cavity or an exposed tooth root. Visit your dentist so that they can find the underlying cause.
Some toothaches might be caused by wisdom teeth. If you need professional wisdom tooth extraction, our clinic offers the best services in Perth.
Mouth Sores That Don’t Heal
If a mouth sore lasts for more than two weeks, you shouldn’t ignore it. It could be a sign of an infection or, in rare cases, oral cancer. If a sore isn’t getting better, it’s a good idea to have your dentist take a look just to be safe.
Receding Gums
If your gums are pulling back from your teeth, it could be a sign of gum disease or even damage from brushing them too hard. When your gums pull back, they can expose sensitive parts of your teeth and make them more likely to get cavities. Your dentist can help you figure out what’s causing it and how to stop it from getting worse.
How to Protect Your Oral and Overall Health
When you keep your mouth healthy, it helps you have a nice smile and also keeps your whole body healthy. Simple daily habits can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease and also reduce the risk of more serious health issues like heart disease and diabetes.
Brush Regularly
Brush your teeth twice a day to get rid of plaque and germs that can cause cavities and gum disease. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and make sure to brush for at least two minutes each time. Keeping your teeth clean helps protect your gums and reduce the risk of harmful bacteria that may enter your bloodstream.
Floss Daily
Make sure you floss in addition to brushing because brushing alone doesn’t reach all the surfaces of your teeth. Flossing once a day helps remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth and along the gumline.
Eat a Balanced Diet
We all know what we eat affects our oral and overall health. Eating foods like leafy greens, dairy, and lean proteins, which are full of important vitamins and minerals, will help keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy. Moreover, make sure you limit sugary snacks and drinks to help prevent cavities and keep your mouth and body healthier.
Avoid Tobacco and Limit Alcohol
Smoking and drinking a lot of alcohol can make you more likely to get gum disease, lose your teeth, and even develop oral cancer. When you smoke, your immune system gets weaker, which makes it harder for your gums to heal. Alcohol can also dry out your mouth and help harmful bacteria grow more easily. If you cut down on these habits, it will help keep both your mouth and your body healthy.
The Role of Regular Dental Check-Ups
Going to the dentist regularly helps find small problems early before they get worse and supports better overall health.
Early Detection
When you visit your dentist regularly, they can catch any dental problems you may have early. Finding problems early makes them much easier to fix. When you go for a check-up, your dentist can notice early signs of gum disease, cavities, and even serious problems like oral cancer before they get worse. Treating problems early can help you avoid pain, losing teeth, and other health issues later on.
Professional Cleaning
Even if you brush and floss every day, some plaque and tartar may still build up on your teeth in places that are hard to clean. A professional cleaning at your dentist removes this buildup and helps to prevent gum disease and tooth decay.
Personalised Advice
Everyone’s mouth is different, so your dentist can give you advice that works best for you. During your visit, your dentist can recommend the best toothpaste, give you advice on how you brush your teeth correctly, and also give tips on your diet.
Healthy Smile, Healthier Life
Your mouth plays a big role in your overall health. Strong teeth and healthy gums can improve your confidence and protect you from heart disease, diabetes, and more.
We are proud to be a NIB preferred provider, HCF preferred provider, Bupa preferred provider, Medibank preferred provider, and HBF preferred provider dentist in Perth.
Schedule your dental check-up today by calling us at (08) 9474 5083 to book your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How does tooth loss relate to cognitive decline or dementia?
According to some research, losing teeth may raise the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. This could be because having trouble chewing (as a result of missing teeth) makes it harder to get the nutrients your brain needs. Or it might be that bacteria from gum disease and poor oral health cause inflammation in the brain over time. There’s also a connection to lifelong factors like stress and access to dental care. The good news is that using dentures seems to help reduce this risk. That’s why it’s so important to take care of your teeth and gums.
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Can oral health influence the development of certain cancers?
Having poor oral health may increase the risk of developing some types of cancer, especially in the mouth and throat.
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How does periodontal disease affect systemic inflammation?
When you have periodontal disease, bacteria from your mouth may get into your bloodstream and cause inflammation in other parts of your body. This ongoing inflammation could be connected to health issues like heart disease and diabetes.
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What systemic conditions can manifest symptoms in the mouth?
It seems that some health problems might show up in your mouth. For example, anemia can make the inside of your mouth look pale and cause tongue inflammation. Diabetes might make you more likely to get gum disease and infections. Sjögren's syndrome can make your mouth feel dry because it affects how much saliva you produce.
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How do oral bacteria enter the bloodstream and affect other organs?
Bacteria from your mouth may sometimes get into your blood when you chew, brush your teeth, or have dental work done, especially if your gums are swollen or unhealthy. Once in the blood, these bacteria might play a role in health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and issues during pregnancy.
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How can poor oral health impact digestive system disorders?
Having poor oral health may affect your digestion. If you have trouble chewing because of dental problems, larger pieces of food can get into your stomach, which might cause indigestion and make it harder for your body to absorb nutrients. Also, harmful bacteria from your mouth can get swallowed and upset the balance of good bacteria in your gut, and possibly lead to stomach issues like inflammatory bowel disease.