The Connection Between Oral Health and Overall Wellness

It might come as surprising, but good oral health benefits your mouth, teeth, and gums. Good oral health also has a significant impact on your overall wellness. You might think your mouth is separate from the rest of your body. However, its link to your whole body makes it so that dental problems can lead to various health issues.

Oral Health is an Important Wellness Indicator

Your oral health is one of the leading health indicators. A healthy mouth, gums, and teeth allow you to function as a human properly, which involves eating, speaking, and smiling. You can do all those things confidently when your oral health is good. It’s also one factor that allows you to communicate and form human relationships well.

More than that, poor oral health has serious consequences. If you’re not properly brushing your teeth, flossing, and getting a regular dental checkup, it could lead to painful and debilitating health conditions. The good news is that many factors affecting your oral health can be controlled with healthy habits and choices.

You only need to make healthy diet choices and practice good hygiene habits to prevent tooth decay. Not doing so can lead to plaque buildup, eventually leading to cavities, severe gum disease, and other serious dental issues.

What Can Happen if You Have Poor Oral Health

Poor oral health doesn’t just lead to bad breath or yellowing teeth. It can also lead to major health conditions, such as:

Respiratory Infections

If your teeth and gums are in poor health, there’s a risk of you developing respiratory problems. Your lungs may breathe bacteria in the mouth caused by swollen gums or infected teeth. The bacteria could spread to your body’s systems and organs, posing various health problems, such as infections, pneumonia, and acute bronchitis.

Cardiovascular Disease

Poor oral health can lead to heart disease, which often happens when you have inflamed gum. The bacteria there can enter and travel through the bloodstream, causing damage by building up plaque in the arteries. This can lead to atherosclerosis, with a risk of blood flow problems or heart blockage. Essentially, poor oral health makes you more at risk of suffering from a heart attack.

Kidney Disease

Many studies have confirmed that poor oral health and kidney disease are connected. For instance, periodontal disease can cause kidney problems like other infections. You may also have a weaker immune system if you have gum disease. This means you are more likely to get infections. Any kidney disease can be fatal, so you must be strict with your oral care routine.

Diabetes

An unhealthy mouth, teeth, and gums can also be tough on people with diabetes. They are more prone to developing gum infections, so they can’t afford to be lax with oral care. Otherwise, a simple gum infection can lead to periodontal disease. It’s worse for people with diabetes because gum problems are much more challenging to manage because of their blood sugar levels.

Pregnancy Complications

There are several pregnancy and birth complications caused by poor oral health. Women tend to develop oral infections during this time due to constant hormonal changes. These infections can, in turn, put pregnant women at risk due to complications in their health. It can lead to low birth weight or pre-date birth.

Learn more about oral health by calling Cal Oaks Dental at (951) 501-4900 or visiting our clinic in Murrieta, California.