Oral Health: How Does it Affect Your Overall Well-Being

Anyone who has endured a toothache knows that oral health problems can rob you of your sense of well-being. However, medical researchers have accumulated a large body of evidence that shows your oral health plays a crucial role in determining overall physical health. In some cases, life-threatening conditions are linked to periodontal disease.

The Basics of Oral Health

Your mouth is home to hundreds of kinds of microorganisms. Your immune system, backed up by daily brushing and flossing, usually keeps bacteria in check. When poor dental hygiene or some other factor creates favorable conditions for growth, germs multiply. This is how tooth decay and gum disease start. Medications like antihistamines, painkillers and anti-depressants increase the risk of oral diseases by reducing the amount of saliva your mouth produces. Saliva acts as a natural rinsing and neutralizing agent to combat bacteria.

Oral Health and Your Body

If the bacteria in your mouth start to multiply, they can get into the bloodstream. From there, germs migrate to other parts of your body. Thus, oral diseases can be a major cause of an infection of the lining of the heart. Professionals, like those at Apollo Dental Center, know that this is called endocarditis, and it is a condition that can damage the heart. Periodontal disease has also been linked to kidney disease, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke.

Risk Factors

Some conditions increase the risk of periodontal disease. Thus, there is also more risk that oral health problems will impact general health. This is especially true for people who suffer from diabetes and HIV/AIDS. These conditions lower resistance to infections. As a result, they open the door to infections originating in the oral cavity.

Dental Care and Overall Health

The fact that oral health has a major effect on your general well-being makes proper dental care essential. Schedule regular visits to your dentist. He or she will clean your teeth and check for signs of gum disease. When you visit the dentist, take along a list of medications you are taking. Tell the dentist about conditions like diabetes that can put you at risk for oral health problems. Taking care of your mouth and teeth at home is just as important as visiting the dentist. If you aren’t in the habit of flossing, it’s time to start. Brush your teeth at least twice per day. Eating a healthy diet that’s light on snacks and sugar also helps promote dental health.

The connection between oral health and overall well-being is well-documented by medical researchers. The simple fact is that taking the time to properly care for your mouth and teeth should be a part of your efforts to maintain good health. Your dentist can help, but it is up to you to take good care of your oral health on a daily basis.