Having bad teeth and gums can lead to a variety of chronic diseases, such as Periodontal disease and heart disease. The bacteria and plaque from your teeth and gums can get into your bloodstream and clog arteries and blood vessels. The bacteria that form plaque and tartar can cause a number of health problems, including stroke, heart disease, and brain damage. You should practice good dental hygiene every day to avoid any of these conditions.
Why should you consider tooth cleaning regularly? Besides keeping your mouth fresh, regular cleanings can also help you minimize bad breath. Bad breath can lead to gum inflammation and eventually, complete tooth loss. Regular cleanings can also detect any abnormalities, which are warning signs of oral cancer. Most cases of oral cancer go undetected until it’s in its later stages. By regularly seeing a dentist in Calgary, you can help prevent a potential oral cancer diagnosis.
Gum disease
Despite the numerous benefits of good dental hygiene, it is important to remember that poor dental habits can be dangerous. Not only do they lead to gum disease, but they can affect your heart and other parts of your body. People with periodontal disease are more likely to develop heart disease, and these conditions are highly contagious. The gums are a gateway for bacteria and plaque to enter your bloodstream. This bacteria can cause damage to blood vessels, including those in the heart.
A connection between periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis has been found. This may be because both disorders are inflammatory, and inflammation can lead to more serious consequences. Inflammation in the mouth can damage other tissues, and the relationship between gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis is not surprising. Both diseases are linked to chronic conditions, such as smoking.
Periodontitis
If you have bad gums, you could be at risk for periodontitis, a condition that causes the gums to loosen from the teeth and become infected. This condition can spread to the surrounding soft tissues and even cause teeth to fall out. It is also a symptom of poor overall health. Some studies have linked periodontitis with diseases like diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, and cancer. Hence, it is critical to maintain good dental hygiene and visit the dentist regularly.
If left untreated, periodontitis can damage teeth, cause bad breath, and affect the general health of the person. Early treatment can prevent it and save your teeth. There are several signs that you should look out for, including bleeding and redness in the gum line. It can also affect the fit of partial dentures. In the early stages, it is not visible to the naked eye.
Periodontal disease during pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time for a woman to improve her oral hygiene habits. A recent study assessed women’s oral hygiene practices and periodontal disease awareness before and during pregnancy. Overall, pregnant women reported a low level of awareness of the impact of periodontal disease on pregnancy. The findings also showed that poor oral hygiene habits were associated with preterm labor and low birth weight in infants. While this is concerning, many factors still make it difficult for women to get dental care during pregnancy.
According to one study, more than 40 percent of pregnant women are affected by periodontal disease. This number is even higher among women of lower socioeconomic status and racial minorities. In a recent Philadelphia study, researchers screened 3111 women for periodontal disease and identified 1566 who were pregnant. The other 1545 were negative. The study revealed that the majority of pregnant women who were diagnosed with periodontal disease were African American and did not graduate from high school.
Chronic conditions associated with poor dental hygiene
If you are unable to properly maintain your teeth and gums, it can affect many areas of your health, including your heart. Bacteria that live in your mouth can enter your bloodstream and attach to the heart’s chambers, valves, and inner lining. If left untreated, this infection is known as endocarditis, which can prove fatal. Plaque that builds up in your mouth can also clog arteries and cause blood clots.
In the United States, oral diseases affect millions of people. Moreover, they are linked to many other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Proper oral care can prevent these conditions, and routine dental visits can dramatically reduce your risk of developing them. However, this type of treatment is expensive and not covered by health insurance plans in most low and middle-income countries.
