9 Serious Health Problems Caused by Bad Teeth

For some reason, a lot of people seem to forget about their teeth when it comes to looking after their bodies, which can lead to poor oral health. However, what they may not know is that because teeth are connected to the body, poor dental health can have repercussions elsewhere. These issues can be much more serious than many imagine as well. This is why you cannot afford to take your oral health lightly, and why you need to be more informed about the possible complications. Here are a few serious health problems caused by bad teeth.

Cardiovascular Disease

Having poor oral health could lead to higher cardiovascular disease or even a stroke. If you have gum inflammation, for instance, then this is caused by a certain type of bacteria. This can then degenerate into periodontal disease, and the bacteria in your gums could end up traveling up your bloodstream. Your arteries then run the risk of building plaque.

This is what’s referred to as atherosclerosis, and it's a very serious disease. This could put you at a higher risk of having a heart attack by hindering blood flow and causing heart blockages. The additional stress on the blood vessels and arteries can result in hypertension. So, this is not something you can afford to look over. Even if you feel like the symptoms are benign, you need to consult a dentist immediately before the situation aggravates.

Dementia

This is another issue a lot of people wouldn’t naturally associate with oral health, but teeth problems could actually increase your chances of developing dementia later on. This is because the bacteria and substances released by infections can damage brain cells and affect memory. There is even evidence to show that inflamed gums could lead to Alzheimer after it enters the nerve channels or enters the bloodstream.

Respiratory Infections

Did you know that poor oral health could also affect your respiratory system? This is because it’s directly connected to the mouth, and everything that affects the mouth can affect the lungs. Air that is taken into the lungs may carry pathogens and bacteria from the infected mouth where they will enter the blood vessels. This could then lead to issues like acute bronchitis, pneumonia, or even chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Diabetes

Not only are diabetics at a higher risk of developing gum disease, but gum disease could also significantly increase your chances of getting diagnosed with it in the first place. This is because of the gums’ effect on blood sugar level. Gum diseases cause them to spike up, which in turn makes it more likely to develop the disease. This also means that people with diabetes have to work twice as hard to control their blood sugar if they have gum issues, hence why they need to address them immediately and pay special attention to their oral hygiene routine.

Pregnancy Complications

Pregnant women are another group that needs to pay special attention to their oral health. This is because they’re much more prone to developing infections through hormonal changes. Not only that, but infections can also put the baby at risk. As matter of fact, gum disease in the mother has been linked with things like lower weight in babies at birth, and premature births as well.

Infertility

Not only can poor oral health lead to pregnancy complications, it could also prevent someone from getting pregnant in the first place. There is a correlation that has been made between low fertility rates and teeth problems. This is because gum disease can lead to a variety of issues that can make the body inhospitable. So, if you want to get pregnant faster, make sure to make oral health a priority.

Erectile Dysfunction

Gum disease can also affect male reproductive organs. For instance, poor dental health has been associated with erectile dysfunction. Chronic periodontal disease is when teeth are separated from the gums and get infected, which then spreads to the bone surrounding the teeth. These bacteria then end up in the mainstream and can lead the blood vessels to become inflamed. This can hinder blood flow to the genitals, which can make an erection difficult or even impossible.

Cancer

There are many bad habits that can directly lead to oral or throat cancers, like smoking for instance. However, there are many other cancers that you are at a higher risk of contracting, like pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, or different types of blood cancers.

Kidney Disease

Having all that bacteria floating around your system also puts you at a higher risk of developing kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease is very serious, and can end up affecting your blood pressure, heart, and bones. Not only that, but people who suffer from gum disease will have weakened immune systems, which puts them at an even greater risk of developing infections, which will put even more stress on the kidneys.

What Can Be Done to Prevent Gum Disease?

Your gums are the pathway through which bacteria can penetrate into the bloodstream, and it’s essential that you look after them and make sure that they don’t get infected. Oral issues like cavities cannot be neglected. So don’t hesitate to care for your smile through dental implants in el cajon.

One of the best things you can do is get regular cleanings at the dentist. These aren't purely aesthetic and will remove things you may have missed when brushing. You also have to make sure that you avoid smoking. If you can, try to go for safer alternatives like vaping, for instance. However, be careful not to use heavy flavors as they often contain additives that could be detrimental to oral health.

Another thing that can contribute to gum disease is teeth misalignment. Even a slight misalignment can make it difficult for you to clean your teeth or floss them correctly, which then increases the chances for infection. The problem is that many people do not get their teeth fixed because they assume that it will either be too expensive or intrusive, but it doesn’t have to be.

You have services like ALIGNERCO that don’t even require you to leave your house. ALIGNERCO will send an impression kit right to your home so they can get an imprint of your teeth. All you need then is to send it back to them and they will ship your aligners to you if they judge that you’re a suitable candidate. Ordering from them will cost you a fraction of the cost and you won’t need to see a dentist.

Clear aligners have tons of benefits that make them a great option. For one, they’re almost invisible to the naked eye. This makes them a good choice for adults who don't want to be wearing metal braces. They’re totally non-intrusive, meaning that you can put them on and remove them by yourself whenever you want. They act very fast too, and cost much less than traditional braces. They also don’t have the same level of food restrictions as metal braces, and they’re much easier to maintain.

As you can see, teeth and gums issues are very serious and should be addressed as soon as possible. You also have to do everything in your power to prevent them from occurring in the first place.