Most of us think that good oral hygiene keeps our teeth and gums healthy so we can have a beautiful, pleasant smile and so we can chew our food properly.
Yes these are important aspects of having a good oral hygiene regime but research shows that poor oral health is linked to serious health problems.
HEART DISEASE
Various studies demonstrate that people with poor oral hygiene are more likely to suffer from heart disease or heart attacks. Poor oral hygiene leads to periodontal (gum) disease and researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are twice as likely to have heart disease.
The bacteria from the periodontal disease can enter your blood stream and can travel to the arteries of the heart and can cause hardening of the arteries which ends up blocking blood flow to the body and the heart muscle itself.
DIABETES
There is some evidence to suggest that severe periodontal disease may have the potential to affect blood glucose levels and may cause the progression of diabetes.
On the other hand, diabetics are also more susceptible to periodontal disease which makes it important to have good control over both the blood glucose levels and to maintain good oral hygiene.
PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS
Several research studies have suggested that women with periodontal disease may be more likely to deliver babies prematurely or with low birth weight than when compared to mothers with healthy gums.
Periodontal disease which is directly caused by poor oral hygiene is also associated with other systemic diseases such as:
- Obesity
- Stroke
- Renal disease
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Dementia
- Cancer
The benefits of having a good oral hygiene regime and regularly seeing a dentist are very profound to maintain optimum oral health and General well being.