The various systems of your body are constantly interacting with one another. You might not have ever really thought about how the decisions you make regarding your dental care can impact the rest of your body.
Here are four ways in which your dental health can both help and hurt the wellbeing of the rest of your body.
1. Heart Health
While the research is still fairly new, there is a growing consensus that there is a direct connection between oral health and heart health. There is evidence showing a possible link between gum disease, also known as periodontitis, and heart disease. This might be due to the types of bacteria that live in the mouth entering the bloodstream and causing problems in the heart.
If you would like to reduce your chances of having your dental health negatively affect your heart health, be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day and add flossing to your daily dental care routine.
2. Diabetes
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, then you have an extra reason to take care of your teeth. If you don’t take care of your dental health, then you risk the development of gum disease. That can, in turn, result in higher glucose levels in your blood. On the other side of things, those who suffer from diabetes also have an increased risk of contracting periodontitis.
3. Prevent Upper Respiratory Illnesses
Upper respiratory illnesses can have negative impacts on your ability to breathe properly. Furthermore, if an upper respiratory settles in your lungs, then you might end up with pneumonia. Thankfully, by practicing good dental hygiene, you might be able to decrease your chances of contracting an upper respiratory-related illness.
Keeping your mouth clean decreases the amount of bacteria within it. When you have fewer bacteria in your mouth, you reduce the likelihood that such infection-causing bacteria will find its way into your lungs. Adding mouthwash to your daily dental care can drastically reduce the bacteria in your mouth.
4. Avoid Memory Loss Later in Life
One form of gum disease called gingivitis has recently been linked to an increased risk in dementia in the later stages of life. This is due to the fact that the bacterium that resides in the mouth of those with gingivitis has been found in the brains of some dementia patience. While more research is needed to understand the link between this bacteria and the disease, you can reduce your chances of suffering from memory loss issues later by taking care of your teeth now.
If you would like to place a deeper emphasis on your dental health and how it relates to the rest of your body, consider switching to a dentist that understands this mentality. A biological dentist might be a good fit for you as they generally plan dental care with the impacts on the rest of the body in mind.
Your teeth are important, and caring for them takes more than brushing them once or twice a day. You need to floss, swirl mouthwash and brush regularly, as well as think about the food and drink you are consuming. Drinks that are full of artificial sugar will rot your teeth if you are not careful, for example.