Dangers of neglecting your oral health

Poor oral hygiene affects your mouth adversely. It causes bad breath, gum disease, decay, abscesses of a tooth, infections in the mouth and eventually tooth loss. But little do we know that neglecting oral hygiene can lead to serious health complications. For example, in the early stages of gum disease it shows symptoms of gingivitis, with bleeding gums when you brush. When left untreated it develops into periodontitis when the gums begin to pull away from the teeth. This allows bacteria to grow into newer pockets. Every time you brush bacteria are pushed into the body, which triggers inflammation.  

Bacteria or other inflammatory chemicals that are released from the immune system as a result of infections in the mouth enter the bloodstream and influence the behavior of other tissues and organs making the impact systemic.

Studies have linked oral health to Type II diabetes, cancer and heart diseases. Diseases in the mouth due to lack of oral hygiene also affects nutrition. Due to the resulting pain and inflammation we tend to limit the consumption of fruits, vegetables and cereals.

Some studies have shown that a bacterium known as Fusobacterium nucleatum which is commonly implicated in gum diseases can reduce the ability of immune cells to recognize and destroy cancer causing cells.

Poor oral health is also linked to memory loss which is an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease. Some studies show that inflammatory chemicals released due to gum infections can end up inflaming the brain. This then results in brain cell death causing memory loss.

Bad oral health is linked to respiratory problems such as pneumonia and acute bronchitis. Infection-causing bacteria travel from the mouth to the bloodstream from where it gets access to lungs. This aggravates respiratory symptoms in some patients.

Experts recommend that you brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Combine this with regular visits to a dentist who can help identify hidden diseases in the mouth and save  you from other diseases. As they rightly say, look after your teeth, they will look after you.

Many people from Rocky Hill come to our office because we are conveniently located next to Target. Our flexible hours and family dental practice makes it easy for busy families to schedule visits for both parents and children.

To know more about the importance of oral health, contact Green Meadow Dental at 3579 B Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06111, (860)- 865- 0056 or keep reading our blogs! We also serve patients from surrounding areas like Farmington, Southington and Portland.