Your teeth and gums are two of the essential parts of your digestive system. It allows you to grind your food to the point where you can swallow it with ease. However, it’s home to millions of bacteria that may cause diseases.
Many experts believe that your oral health is somehow connected to your overall health. Various conditions such as canker sores in your tonsils may indicate an underlying illness within the body. Researches still require additional info, but the connection has been studied many times and has only produced positive outcomes.
Oral health is also one of the first lines of defense against bacteria. Most of the time, symptoms of underlying conditions often show themselves as oral health problems, and it’s recommended to visit a dentist to determine the root cause of it.
It’s important to note that taking care of your teeth, gums, and other parts of your mouth is essential and should never be taken for granted. Most dental experts are promoting preventive dentistry, which may help assess and prevent most problems in the mouth and result in better oral health.
Here are three things your teeth and gums are telling about your overall health:
1. You Might Be Diabetic
When individuals’ blood sugar is too high, they’re diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes. Their body doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it effectively. Most experts believe that genes play a massive role in developing the disease, but lifestyle choices and obesity are some of the common causes of diabetes.
If you’re experiencing repetitive and severe gum disease, you might want to get checked as it’s common for people with diabetes because the condition reduces the ability of the body to resist infections. Since the mouth is an open space for bacteria, it’ll easily be infected once your immune system is low.
2. You Have Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition that slowly affects the bones, weakening them and making them prone to breaking. It develops gradually and is generally identified when the individual experiences a sudden impact or fall.
Individuals with the condition are prone to fractures, and for them, it’s common to have tooth loss and periodontitis. When this happens, the best option is to seek help from medical experts to rule out other conditions. Extra precautions might also be considered as the treatments for osteoporosis also have a slight chance of risking damage to the bones present in the jaw.
3. You Might Be Immunocompromised
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are two types of viruses that target a person’s immune system. For people with HIV or AIDS, gingivitis is usually expected. Other oral problems that may be present also include:
- canker sores
- fever blisters
- oral warts
- dry mouth
- periodontitis
- hairy leukoplakia
- dental caries
- oral candidiasis
What Are The Most Common Effects Of Poor Oral Hygiene?
Experts highly recommend maintaining proper oral hygiene to avoid infections and oral health problems. The most common effects of poor oral hygiene are:
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Gum disease
Commonly known as gingivitis, this is caused by plaque buildup on the gums. Infected areas may be prone to bleeding and are usually red and tender. To prevent it, experts recommend brushing at least twice a day and incorporate flossing afterward to remove unnecessary buildups.
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Periodontitis
It’s known as a more severe infection of the gums. It may lead to pain while chewing, tooth loss, and even bleeding gums. Dentists should be the ones to treat it to ensure a full recovery.
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Dry mouth
When saliva is insufficient, it may lead to dry mouth. It may multiply your risks to cavities, oral infections, and even tooth decay. Some medicines like antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications can also reduce your saliva output.
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Tooth decay
It’s one of the most common oral problems present. When plaque buildup causes the teeth to decay, it’s advisable to have a dentist treat it to put a filling if a cavity has already formed.
Takeaway
Maintaining good oral hygiene may require you to consistently clean your teeth and gums through brushing, flossing, and regular visits to the dentist. The buildup of bacteria in your mouth might infect other parts of the body, which may cause severe complications.
Your overall health may be reflected in your teeth and gums as some symptoms of other conditions often start with swelling in your oral region. It might also serve as your warning device to determine underlying infections in the body. Consider the ideas mentioned here as you build better oral health.
