Have you been avoiding your dentist for the past months? Why must you regularly see your dentist in Clarksville, TN? The answer is simple - good oral health is necessary for a healthy smile and overall health and wellness. You cannot achieve a healthy mind and body if you neglect your oral health. In recent years, researchers have uncovered surprising links between dental health and a range of health conditions. This post will explore the most unexpected ways dental health can affect your overall health.
How Does Your Dental Health Affect Your Overall Health?
Heart Health
One surprising way oral health affects overall health is its impact on heart health. Research has found a high risk of developing heart disease in people with gum disease. Gum disease or periodontal disease is a type of bacterial infection that can lead to inflammation and damage to the tissues that support the teeth. When left untreated, gum disease can cause gums to pull away from the teeth, leading to pockets of bacteria that can enter the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, these bacteria can trigger inflammation and contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack, heart disease, and stroke. Gum and heart disease are believed to be caused by chronic inflammation.
Respiratory Health
Another surprising link between dental health and overall health is respiratory health. Poor dental health can contribute to respiratory infections and pneumonia in several ways. One of the main ways is inhaling bacteria from the mouth into the lungs. When a person has poor dental health, their mouth may contain harmful bacteria that can be easily inhaled into the lungs. These bacteria can cause infection and inflammation in the respiratory tract, leading to respiratory infections and even pneumonia. Furthermore, poor dental health can weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight infections. This can increase the risk of respiratory infections, pneumonia, and other infections throughout the body.
Diabetes Management
Poor dental health can also make it harder to manage diabetes. People with gum disease may have a harder time controlling their blood sugar levels because the inflammation from gum disease can contribute to insulin resistance. This can make it harder to manage diabetes and increase the risk of complications.
Pregnancy Outcomes
Dental health can even affect pregnancy outcomes. Gum disease increases the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. This is because gum disease can contribute to systemic inflammation, affecting fetal development.
Cognitive Function
Poor oral health can also negatively impact cognitive function in older adults. It has been found that people with gum disease are more likely to suffer from cognitive decline and dementia. This is because chronic inflammation from gum disease can contribute to brain inflammation, which can damage brain cells and contribute to cognitive decline.
Visit Your Dentist in Clarksville, TN, for a Healthy Mouth
Based on these facts, it is clear that maintaining good oral health should be one of your top priorities if you want a healthy body. One way of boosting oral health is seeing your dentist once every six months for checkups and dental care. At Renew Dental, our experienced team will help you achieve optimal oral health and overall wellness. We offer various dental services to meet your needs, from routine cleanings to advanced restorative treatments. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
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