What do you think of when someone mentions poor dental hygiene? A lot of the answers are probably cavities, stinky breath, and bacteria. These answers are not wrong, but there are other serious issues that can occur from bad dental hygiene.
Your mouth is the “gateway to your body,” and this is very true: the way you take care of your mouth has an effect on your entire body. Remember, the Mission pediatric dentists at Heroes Dental recommend you brush your teeth twice a day, for two minutes each, and floss to prevent cavities, diseases, and other medical issues.
But…
What Could Happen if You Don’t Take Care of Your Oral Hygiene?
If your dental hygiene isn’t that great, you may face problems within your mouth.
The foods you eat and your hygienic habits play a big role in developing cavities and tooth decay, not to mention bad breath, a.k.a. halitosis.
One of the main causes of halitosis is all those little food particles stuck in between your teeth when you don’t floss. These small particles collect bacteria that release chemicals like hydrogen sulfide, giving your beautiful smile that rotten eggs stink–Ew!
You can also develop gum disease if you “forget” to brush and floss daily. Gum disease occurs when plaque buildup travels right into the gums. In more severe cases, the infection can make its way to the bone and cause tooth loss, or worse.
How Does Dental Hygiene Affect Your Overall Health?
Think of a time when you ate something bad and how it gave you a bad tummy ache. That bad food went into your mouth and made its way to your digestive system, causing you to get sick.
Suddenly, biting your nails or putting your dirty fingers in your mouth doesn’t sound like such a good idea either.
The same thing happens with oral hygiene; bad bacteria is moving from your mouth and into your system, causing you to get sick. Without brushing, flossing, and regular dentist check ups, you are allowing bacterias to cause infections in your body which can cause severe problems.
1.Heart Problems and Risk of Stroke
The bacteria that accumulates in your mouth over time from not brushing can travel into your gums causing gum disease. If this happens, you are more likely to develop heart disease.
When the bacteria enters your gums, you are also allowing the bacteria and plaque to enter your bloodstream which can cause blood infections, blockage in your arteries, and heart attacks. A stroke can also occur if the bacteria from your mouth clogs the artery that transports blood into your brain.
2.Higher Risk of Alzheimers and Dementia
One study found the disease and bacteria that causes tooth loss is also linked to poor memory and early onset of Alzheimer’s Disease. Infections that cause swelling in the gums can also cause swelling in your brain which leads to the loss of brain cells.
3.Lung Problems
Periodontal Disease, which is the most severe case of gum disease, can cause respiratory problems, especially for those who already have a history of respiratory problems. The bacteria that travels in your bloodstream from gum disease can increase the risk of developing pneumonia and COPD.
4.Diabetes/High Blood Sugar
The foods we consume contribute to our overall health. If we eat foods high in sugar or acid, we can face the risk of cavities and gum disease but also risk developing diabetes and increasing our blood sugar.
Most adults with diabetes also have periodontal disease. Periodontal disease and diabetes go hand in hand. People with diabetes most likely suffer from tooth loss because of the severe gum disease.
5.Pregnancy Risks
An expecting mother’s dental health can be crucial to their growing baby. According to March of Dimes, about 380,000 babies in the United States are born prematurely. There are theories that infections from the mother, especially from her mouth, can cause a baby to be born prematurely and risk respiratory issues and infections in their new born baby.
Our Mission Pediatrics Dentists Care About Your Overall Health
At Heroes Dental, we want you to stay informed and healthy! That’s why it is important to learn more about the severe effects poor dental hygiene can have in your mouth and body. Don’t forget to brush and floss on a daily basis, not only for beautiful smiles, but also to help you live long, healthy lives.