It is common for people to take care of oral health for the sake of the teeth, but it is a lesser-known fact that it is also necessary for the rest of the body. Research has shown that an infection in the mouth can increase risks for many different diseases. Earlier it was suspected that this was due to bacteria spreading to the rest of the body, but current studies have shown that inflammation in gum or periodontal diseases plays a specific role in increasing health risks. The following article discusses the health problems that surface because of poor oral conditions.
Stroke
Suppose you are subject to losing your teeth often or struggle with the loss of bone and tissue near your teeth. In that case, you may have an increased risk of stroke. In addition, atherosclerotic plaques can develop due to severe periodontitis, which makes the body more vulnerable to heart attacks and strokes.
Heart Disease
If periodontitis is sustained for a long time, which is a gum infection, it can cause atherogenesis and coronary heart diseases in which plaque gets settled in the arteries. Gum disease doubles the risk of heart diseases. To address oral problems, you can learn more about a dentist in Knoxville TN.
Pregnancy Complications
Pregnant women are more prone to deliver a pre-term or low-birth-weight baby due to periodontal disease. If this is the case for you, make sure to get regular dental care from a periodontist. Getting therapy for these diseases reduces the risk of pre-term labor. In addition, Gestational diabetes causes gum inflammation, leading to severe gum diseases, so this should also be taken care of.
Diabetes
Metabolism of the body is affected by periodontal diseases, which can cause a flare in blood glucose levels and lead to pre-diabetes, whereas individuals who get treatment for periodontitis and are subject to type-2 diabetes experience lesser oxidative stress, i.e., lower than normal antioxidant levels.
Mental Health
Anxiety and stress can impact health, and studies show the strong relationship between many mental health problems and gum diseases. These problems include anxiety, stress, depression, loneliness, and distress. All these issues cause increased cortisol levels which can aid periodontal progression.
Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease is also a complication linked to poor oral health. It affects bone health and blood pressure and finally leads to heart diseases and kidney failure. Adults who have lost their teeth are more vulnerable to these conditions.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease affects more than five million Americans, being an incapacitating brain disease, causes dementia. Inflammation, especially early age chronic periodontal disease, is suspected to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s nearly four times. If this theory is true, gum diseases may result in being a preventable risk factor for this disease.
Researchers are still working on finding connections of gum diseases with other health conditions like menstrual problems, osteoporosis, steroid abuse, obesity etc. However, there is a serious chance to avoid the above medical conditions by caring for your teeth and visiting the dentist regularly to treat any underlying or occurring problems.