The Health of Your Mouth Affects Your Whole Body

05/10/2022

Your mouth is the biggest weak point in your body’s security system; it’s soft tissues and mucous membranes that are perpetually exposed to the environment, food chemicals, fungi, viruses, and bacteria. So, it’s no surprise then, that with such direct access to your bloodstream, oral illnesses spread to affect other body parts/systems. Bacteria doesn’t care where it lives – as long as it lives. And that’s how many of the oral diseases you get from failing to keep proper care of your teeth lead to, or contribute to, other whole-body health problems.

5 Illnesses you’re Susceptible to if you don’t Take Care of Your Teeth

Here are some common health complications that can result from poor dental care and the resulting dental decay:

Dementia

Gum infections as mild as gingivitis can spread to the bloodstream, and the substances they emit kill brain cells, contributing to memory loss.

Diabetes

Well over 90% of people who have periodontal disease (advanced gum disease) also have diabetes. It is thought that chronically-infected gums and a weakened immune system make it hard for the body to regulate sugar properly.

Erectile Dysfunction

Poor oral hygiene can cause blood vessels to inflame, restricting blood flow. Men with periodontal disease are almost 7x more likely to experience erectile dysfunction than men with good dental health.

Heart Disease

Periodontal disease causes chronic tissue inflammation as bacteria and plaque continue to infiltrate your bloodstream via the pulled-back, infected gums and decaying teeth. The bacteria from your infected gums acts as a clotting agent once in the blood vessels. Both the inflammation and the plaque buildup in the arterial walls narrow the blood vessels, making the heart work harder, and putting people at increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Respiratory Illness

Bacteria in your mouth can be breathed into the lungs or get there via your bloodstream. This can lead to chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, other respiratory infections, and even COPD.

This isn’t even a comprehensive list of the risks you run by neglecting your oral health. This might be one of the times scaring yourself with a quick look at WebMD might be useful – especially if it gets you to start flossing regularly.