Ways Your Dental Health Affects Your Overall Health

While your dental health may not seem related to your overall health, it can actually have a significant impact on your body and health as a whole! Many people only think about a toothache or unsightly stains when they consider dental health, but there are many issues that can lead to significant health problems when left unattended. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent these problems before they happen!

Dental health and cardiovascular health

When you don’t take care of your teeth on a regular basis, plaque builds up and your gums become inflamed and swollen. This can cause bacteria to enter into your bloodstream where it travels to arteries in your heart which causes them to harden. Over time, this can lead to an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke. Who knew that maintaining good oral hygiene could help prevent major complications? While your teeth may be small, they play a big role!

Dental health and lung infections

Another important thing to consider is the way your dental health can affect our lungs. Studies have shown that gum disease could cause infections in your lungs and lead to pneumonia, acute bronchitis, and even COPD. This happens in a similar way when bacteria in the mouth from infected teeth travel through the bloodstream.

Dental health and pregnancy

Your dental health can have an impact on your pregnancy if you aren’t properly caring for your teeth. Before getting pregnant is the time to make sure your teeth and gums are in good shape and you are regularly brushing and flossing. When a woman is pregnant, hormonal changes can put her at greater risk for periodontal disease and a condition in which her gums bleed easily, known as pregnancy gingivitis. Let your dentist know if you are pregnant so they can help you ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Dental health and dementia

Poor dental health and hygiene affect our brain as well. Our mouth can be home to bad bacteria when not properly cared for. The bacteria from gingivitis can enter your brain through nerve channels or again, through the bloodstream. This kind of interference could aid in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

As we’ve mentioned above, there are a number of ways that an individual’s dental health relates to their overall health. Some have even said the mouth is a window into your overall health. So what are the best ways to protect against these and take care of your overall health? The answer is simple – brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss, and visit your dentist on a regular basis!

At Montgomery Dentistry we are happy to help you take care of your overall health! Call us today to schedule your next appointment!