The Connection Between General and Oral Health

Appropriate oral health care is essential for keeping both your mouth and body bacteria-free. Aside from keeping the mouth clean, the quality of your lifestyle and diet will also greatly influence your oral health, which shares common risk factors with numerous chronic diseases. From diabetes, through arthritis, and to heart disease, keeping your mouth clean and healthy is the first and, very likely, the most important step in preventing serious infections and illnesses.

Gum Disease Effects

Gum disease is the main cause of adult tooth loss, and aside from being devastating for the mouth, it also causes various other health problems. Namely, even though the mouth is an isolated ecosystem, it’s still closely connected to the immune system, which means that a bacterial imbalance from the mouth can wreak havoc on many parts of the body. Furthermore, scientists have proved that esophageal, pancreatic and breast cancers are just some of the diseases caused by gum disease.

Bacteria from the mouth access other parts of the body through the bloodstream, so it’s no wonder that the plaque deposits in the mouth happen to be the exact same type of plaque as those on the arterial walls of the patients suffering from heart conditions. Oral inflammation caused by gingivitis is most likely to be responsible for clogged arteries and blood clots, because the bacteria cause larger inflammation throughout the rest of the body. Furthermore, gum disease increases the risk of stroke up to 300%, preterm birth 700% and 400% for oral cancer. Bacteria from the mouth destroy the flesh and bone tissue in the mouth, which will eventually lead to tooth loss.

What you can do to protect your mouth

A healthy diet is the first step in keeping your mouth healthy. Eating plenty of quality fats and mineral-rich food, and cutting back on sugar and vegetable oil will lower the risk of bacteria spreading. Avoid chocolate, candy and any kind of sticky sweet treats that will cause cavities and rotten the teeth. Sugar is the leading cause of caries and you don’t want to end up with painful teeth and obesity. What’s more, an unhealthy diet will contribute to the already growing inflammation in your mouth, which can lead to tooth loss. However, you don’t have to fear that you’ll be left without teeth, because you can find quality dentures in Sydney and bring back your gorgeous smile, quickly. Nevertheless, make sure you avoid alcohol and sugary drinks, and take care of what you eat.

The quality of your lifestyle also influences your oral health, so make sure you have enough sleep, control your stress, and avoid bad habits like smoking and drinking. The better your lifestyle quality, the stronger your immune system will be. And you know that as long as you have a strong immune system, you won’t have to worry about infections and inflammations, because it will battle all the bacteria from your mouth and prevent it from spreading further through your body.

Good dental hygiene is imperative when it comes to a healthy mouth, so do your best to brush and floss regularly. It’s recommended that you brush your teeth after every meal, but if that’s not possible, do it at least twice a day for two minutes. Floss every night, and rinse the mouth with antibacterial mouthwash.

Keeping your mouth healthy will protect you from numerous health problems. Therefore, make sure you brush, floss and rinse your teeth regularly, eat plenty of healthy foods to avoid cavities, and lead a healthy lifestyle to keep your immune system strong and help it fight the infections. Don’t risk suffering from coronary disease, having preterm birth or arthritis just because you didn’t want to break the bad habits or didn’t feel like spending ten more minutes a day taking care of your mouth.

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