A healthy mouth is critical to the health of the whole body. Not only is it where food digestion begins, but it’s also how we communicate with everyone else.
The mouth can also indicate underlying conditions that exist in other organs and tissues. Let’s examine how a healthy mouth can help you avoid fatal health conditions throughout the body – and how an unhealthy mouth does just the opposite.
How Oral Health Affects General Health
Many studies have shown the correlation between oral health and systemic wellness – including proper function in the heart, brain, lungs, pancreas, kidneys, and more. An infection in the gums can spread to other organs and cause severe illness or worse.
That is why it is so important to maintain a healthy mouth, including teeth, gums, and tongue. Gum disease and tooth decay have been linked to:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Adult-onset type 2 diabetes
- Pancreatic cancer
Gum disease can be a precursor to many maladies. The inflammation that exists in cases of periodontal disease (which begins with gum disease) has been positively tied to many types of life-threatening cancers.
Diseases Caused by Poor Oral Health
Infections in the mouth can spread through the bloodstream and cause serious health problems, especially if the infected cells travel to organs like the heart or brain. This can be fatal even in young, otherwise healthy patients.
Women who are pregnant and have gum disease may be spreading this oral infection to the unborn baby. This can result in premature birth or even low birth weight.
Similarly, those with diabetes can experience serious health issues from gingivitis and gum disease. Diabetes reduces a person’s ability to ward off bacteria, and high blood sugar levels can lead to tooth decay and gum infections.
Toothache pain that doesn’t go away should be addressed by a dentist as soon as possible. If the infection spreads to other organs, the resultant swelling can actually begin to close down the airways and severely affect breathing.
However, if the infection skips the throat, it may move right to the brain. If this happens, it can cause a fatal reaction.
Establish Good Dental Hygiene Habits
Teaching children the importance of proper dental care habits could save them years of problems in their future. These habits include the following:
- Brush your teeth and tongue twice a day
- Floss twice a day
- Use a fluoride-based toothpaste
- Eat a nutritious diet
- See a dentist regularly
Proper dental care can help you maintain a healthy mouth for a lifetime – and a healthy mouth fosters a healthy body. It’s never too early to start learning about oral health.
Experienced Dentist in Las Vegas
Dentistry and proper oral care should be considered just as important as taking care of the other parts of your body. After all, a healthy mouth fosters a healthy body!
The professionals at Dedicated Dental offer free cosmetic consultations, second opinions, and even special pricing to help make it easy to get into the habit of regular dental visits.
Call us today at (702) 566-5509 or schedule a visit by filling out our online appointment request form. Come see why so many patients recommend Dedicated Dental for their best smile!
