Many people think that oral health is only vital for maintaining a healthy white set of teeth. However, there are other crucial correlations between your dental health and your overall health.
Our dental experts at Julita S Patil DDS Inc. in Concord, California, are committed to providing personalized dental care. In this blog, we discuss some of the most important ways in which dental hygiene and health are related to your overall health.
Relationship Between Dental and Physical Health
Below are some of the ways in which your dental health is connected to your overall health:
Respiratory Illnesses
Bacteria from your mouth can enter your lungs and airways, causing respiratory infections and diseases.
Germs from oral infections can migrate from the mouth into the sinuses, causing sinus infections. Sinus infections, on the other hand, can result in toothaches.
Apart from that, oral disorders including periodontal disease have also been related to severe forms of pneumonia.
Cardiovascular Diseases
Although many believe the association is due to correlation rather than causation, gum disease has also been related to cardiovascular disease.
Smoking, for example, can harm your oral and general health. Smoking raises your risk of gum disease, lung disease, and heart disease and, in certain situations, it may be the cause of the association between poor oral health and cardiovascular disease.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
According to a study, people with gum disease are four times more likely to have rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis, a painful and severe inflammatory condition, is more likely to occur in people with gingivitis as the bacteria can spread throughout the body causing inflammation.
Kidney Disease
Periodontal disease can contribute to kidney disease by causing infections in the body. People with gum disease typically have weakened immune systems which make them more susceptible to infections. Many patients with poor dental health also have renal problems.
Cancer
Oral and throat cancers are clearly connected to poor oral health habits like smoking or using tobacco products.
Diabetes
People with diabetes are more vulnerable to infections. Thus, they are at a higher risk of developing periodontal disease and may have a harder time treating this condition.
In addition, gum disease can cause blood sugar level imbalances that may lead to a worsening of the condition.
For more information on the relationship between dental and overall health, contact Julita S Patil DDS Inc. by calling dentist in Concord CA (925) 689-2585 or visiting our dental office at 2991 Treat Blvd Suite A, Concord, CA 94518.
