Can Your Teeth Cause Health Problems?

Can Your Teeth Cause Health Problems? From early childhood, we know that brushing your teeth is important. Most of us will do the obligatory brush once or twice a day and pack our toothbrush away certain we’ve done our bit to take care of our teeth.

But sound oral care is so much more than a simple daily brush. Not looking after your teeth and gums correctly can lead to quite serious health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even infertility.

Tooth brushing is not a new thing, humans have been doing some form of it since 3000 B.C. The Egyptians used leaves and twigs to scrape their teeth, instinctively knowing that the build up of bacteria is not good for overall health.

Even the Ancient Romans believed washing your mouth with animal or human urine would kill bacteria and even whiten the teeth.

As humans evolved, and more intelligence on oral hygiene was obtained through science, the direct link between a clean mouth and general health became evident.

What are the 3 main health problems associated with poor oral hygiene?

While there is a whole host of health issues linked to poor teeth maintenance, the three most common and serious conditions are as follows:

1. Cardiovascular Disease – When bacteria builds on your gums it can cause inflammation and leak into the bloodstream, consequently causing the arteries to harden through plaque buildup. Hardened arteries can lead to high blood pressure and in extreme circumstances, stroke.
   
2. Diabetes – Diabetics are at a higher risk of developing infections, so when mouth bacteria begins to enter the body it can cause a range of issues for diabetics, including increased blood sugar levels. There has been a strong link between those with gum disease going on to develop diabetes.
   
3. Respiratory Infections – As well as running the risk of mouth bacteria leaking into your bloodstream, it can also travel into the lungs causing a whole host of respiratory infections, such as pneumonia.

What can you do to prevent these health issues?

While it appears to all be doom and gloom, there are easy changes that can be made to your dental regime to help safeguard against developing these health conditions relating to your teeth.

• You can start by increasing the length of time you brush your teeth. To effectively remove food and bacteria it is suggested that you should brush your teeth and gums for a least two minutes, twice a day.
  
• Dentists encourage the use of floss daily to ensure gum inflammation is kept at bay.
  
• Consider using a mouthwash. Not only does it freshen your breath, but it also helps prevent plaque from building up in the hard to reach places that your brush may not get to.

Introducing a floss, brush, and mouthwash routine will greatly improve your oral hygiene, keeping you further away from these life-threatening health conditions. Other things like avoiding smoking and sugary foods can help too.

While there is no quick fix, it is the consistent effort that pays off in the end.

Although a visit to the dentist can be a dreaded event, it is important to stick to your yearly checkup as this will ensure that you’re tracking well and will give peace of mind that if anything sinister is starting to develop, your dentist will be able to address it immediately.

What are the warning signs to look out for?

The occasional bleeding gums or ulcer isn’t enough to raise an alarm. However, if you start noticing any of the following increasing in frequency or severity, it is time to visit your dentist to explore further.

• Bleeding gums after brushing your teeth
• Bad breath
• Ulcers
• Tooth sensitivity (particularly with extreme temperatures)
• Any pain when eating

Can Your Teeth Cause Health Problems? – Conclusion

When it comes to your overall health there are so many pieces of the puzzle that need to fit together to keep wellness possible. Looking after your teeth and gums can often be overlooked until the damage is already done.

Encouraging a focus on careful oral hygiene with your loved ones, especially young children, will mean you’re doing your bit to keep these dreaded diseases away.

Staying consistent and turning this new routine into second nature will be the best safeguard against future diseases. After all, it’s no laughing matter.