Bad Oral Hygiene: The Diseases You Are Prone To Get From It
When you were younger, you were probably told by your dentist to always brush your teeth and floss in between them so that you can maintain your pearly whites, but a picture-perfect smile is not the only outcome of diligent oral care. Given that your mouth is the main gateway to your whole body, its general condition has direct effects on your body and influences your overall well-being. If you want to not only look good but also to feel good, it’s best that you observe proper oral hygiene because if you don’t, you make yourself vulnerable to certain conditions like the ones that we have listed below.
1. Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
When you fail to take good care of your teeth and gums, you can develop Gingivitis, a form of gum disease. When your gum’s health is compromised, gingivitis-causing bacteria can find their way into either your nerve channels or bloodstream, which can lead to the development of Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease if these bacteria find their way into your brain.
Dementia is a mental condition that impairs your brain function, memory, decision-making, and performance of everyday tasks, while Alzheimer’s disease is a common type of Dementia that compromises your thoughts, memory, and language. Although these conditions are common among people over the age of 65, a small percentage of people (up to 6%, to be specific) can start developing symptoms of Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease before they turn 65.
2. Pneumonia
Teeth and gums that aren’t taken care of properly serve as the perfect breeding environment for bacteria. When such bacteria is allowed to fester and grow, it can cause an infection within your oral region. Such oral periodontopathic bacteria can be aspirated into the lung to cause aspiration pneumonia.
Pneumonia is a respiratory infection where the air sacs or alveoli of your lung(s) becomes inflamed and is then filled with fluid or pus. Symptoms can range from coughing, fever and chills, to breathing difficulties. If left untreated, the condition could worsen to fatal levels.
3. Cardiovascular or heart diseases
Bad oral health can cause an inflammation on your gums which serves as an opening for bacteria to enter into your bloodstream, and it’s no secret where the bloodstream ultimately leads to – your heart. Once bacteria make it to your heart, the risk for certain heart diseases like Atherosclerosis and Endocarditis increases.
Atherosclerosis is a heart condition where your arteries are narrowed due to plaque build-up, which runs the risk of a heart attack or stroke to do constricted blood circulation. Endocarditis, on the other hand, is the infection and inflammation of the heart’s inner lining. These are serious health threats that can possibly be fatal.
Conclusion
These diseases aren’t something that should be taken lightly because they can cause serious complications that increases the mortality rate. Thankfully, proper observance of oral hygiene can help prevent the development of these diseases. Brush your teeth twice a day to keep your teeth clean. Don’t forget to floss so that you can avoid teeth and gum infections, lest you have to schedule a denture implant surgery to replace an affected tooth. Make it a habit to visit your dentist regularly so you can keep your oral health in check.
If you are looking for a dental clinic that can help you maintain your mouth’s optimum condition, look no further than Luminous Dental. We boast comprehensive dental services that range from general dental checkups all the way to specialised services like the attachment of ceramic braces and more. Let us help you fight against common dental issues and other oral-related ailments!