02 Jan 5 Ways Your Oral Health Can Affect the Whole Body

When you get busy and skip brushing and flossing, you don’t really think about the oral health consequences on your body. You just think you might get some plaque buildup. But your oral health affects your heart, respiratory system, gut, bones, and more. That’s why oral hygiene is so important.

1. Hurt Your Gut’s Microbiome

You might eat yogurt or take probiotics/prebiotics for gut health, but one of the many oral health consequences is your gut health. Studies have shown that oral bacteria that isn’t cleaned from your mouth makes its way to your gut. This bacteria can wreak havoc on your gut health and immune system. If you have periodontitis (gum infection), your overall health is even more at risk. And it all starts with oral bacteria building up in your gut. 

2. Your Heart and Oral Health Consequences

Your heart and teeth aren’t connected, so how could poor oral health affect your heart? Gum disease causes inflammation in your gums. This leads to infection. But the infection isn’t isolated to your gums. Instead, it spreads and causes inflammation throughout the body, including your heart. If you leave gum disease untreated, it increases your risk of heart attack and even stroke. 

Inflammation can affect other areas of the body too. Surprisingly, bad oral hygiene can even cause inflammation in the joints, causing arthritis. 

3. Problems With Pregnancy

Just like oral bacteria and infection can spread throughout your bloodstream and hurt your own body, it can cause problems with pregnancy. Infections can negatively impact both the mother and fetus if left untreated.

4. Causes Pneumonia

Pneumonia is one of the lesser talked about oral health consequences on the body. Cavities and gum disease that cause infections in your mouth can also cause bacteria to enter your lungs. This can lead to both pneumonia and emphysema. At the very least, it can cause general respiratory problems. 

5. Result in Malnutrition

A final consequence is malnutrition. Infections in your mouth, along with losing teeth, can drastically affect how you eat. If left untreated, this can even cause a weakened jaw bone. When you can’t chew properly or comfortably, you eat less and may avoid more nutritious foods. Of course, if infections are affecting other areas of your body, you might not feel well enough to eat as much as you should.

The good news is you can avoid oral health consequences on the body with proper brushing and flossing, along with regular dental visits. Contact us today to schedule your next check-up.