5 Ways Oral Health Is Linked to Overall Health

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Taking care of your oral health isn’t just about keeping your teeth clean. Your oral health has tons of links to your overall health that many people wouldn’t assume. The bacteria that enters your mouth is likely to reach the rest of your body if it isn’t destroyed in time.

If you need an extra excuse to prioritize your oral health, here are five great ones you shouldn’t ignore.

1. Heart Health

A buildup of plaque and bacteria in the mouth will often lead to periodontal disease. Signs of this condition can include swollen and bleeding gums and tooth decay. Did you know that if you have periodontal disease, you’re twice as likely to develop heart disease?

That buildup of plaque can lead to narrowed and clogged arteries that result in a heart attack. In addition, clogged arteries can block blood from getting to the brain, increasing the chances of a stroke.

2. Memory Loss

Memory loss isn’t something that most people would link to oral health. However, there is strong evidence to suggest that tooth loss is linked to brain health. When teeth are lost because of plaque and bacteria, it inevitably causes inflammation.

Oral inflammation has a direct effect on the brain, causing parts of the brain to die. When brain health is poor, it’s likely that memory will be affected and can even lead to dementia in some cases.

3. Respiratory Health

The bacteria that enters your mouth should be removed as soon as possible. This is why it’s so important to brush daily and visit a dentist regularly. The longer bacteria stays around, the more likely it is to enter your bloodstream.

When this happens, the bacteria can enter your lungs and affect your respiratory system. This can cause problems like acute bronchitis and chronic pneumonia.

4. Diabetes

There are strong links between diabetes and poor oral health. Many studies in different countries have revealed that most people with diabetes also have periodontal disease or poor oral health. Although poor oral health can increase the likeliness of a person having diabetes, having diabetes also increases the likeliness of a person having certain oral infections.

If you have any type of diabetes, your oral health should be a priority. Your dentist will be able to advise you on specific ways to look after your teeth.

5. Risk of Cancer

Some links have been made between poor oral health and certain types of cancer. If bacteria can enter the bloodstream from the mouth, it’s no surprise that links have been made between periodontal disease and blood cancer. Other cancers with notable links include kidney cancer and cancer of the pancreas.

Those who look after their oral health can decrease their chances of getting these types of cancer. This is a great reason to make looking after your teeth a top priority.

*This article is based on personal suggestions and/or experiences and is for informational purposes only. This should not be used as professional advice. Please consult a professional where applicable.