As bad as dental issues are, maybe you don’t take them seriously. Perhaps you think cavities and such only affect your smile, so they won’t impact your life too much. Well, you’d be quite wrong to hold that view; an unhealthy mouth has a major impact on your whole body. Your Carrollton dentist can even prove that much with some worrying facts. To that end, here are four big medical problems linked to poor oral health.
Diabetes
Diabetes isn’t just triggered by obesity, genetics, and the like. As it turns out, a weak and unhealthy grin can also lead to this chronic condition.
The crux of the matter comes down to gum disease. When a patient has inflamed gums, their body can struggle to regulate its blood sugar levels as it should. That kind of effect will put a person at a higher risk of diabetes, making the disease more likely to occur. (Adding insult to injury, diabetic people can also face higher odds of gum disease.)
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Most folks don’t associate dental trouble with arthritis. That said, the former can put you at greater risk of the latter.
A 2019 medical study reveals the link in question. According to it, bacteria associated with gum disease (Porphyromonas gingivalis) can move from the mouth to the bloodstream. These microbes can then trigger rheumatoid arthritis as they reach your body’s joints. Needless to say, that outcome only makes a bad situation worse.
Pancreatic Cancer
You might’ve known that dental problems could cause oral cancer. Still, were you aware that they could also result in pancreatic cancer?
The conclusion comes from research by Johns Hopkins Medicine. In it, scholars found a 24% increase in the likelihood of a cancer diagnosis in gum disease patients. That effect was especially evident for the pancreatic form of the disease, among other variants. So, you’ll want to keep a closer eye on your smile’s health going forward.
Cardiovascular Disease
Not even your heart is spared when your smile suffers. Given current medical evidence, bad oral health is also linked to cardiovascular disease.
It comes down to (once again) gum disease. Once bacteria from this ailment infect your mouth, they can eventually enter your bloodstream. The microbes can then inflame and irritate your blood vessels, increasing your risk of having a heart attack, stroke, etc.
The problems above are no laughing matter, so take poor oral health seriously. Treating it now could save your life later!
About the Practice
Aegis Dental is based in Carrollton, TX. Led by Dr. Moji Chandy, our practice takes an honest, friendly, and personalized approach to dentistry. We always (and only) provide patients with the oral care they need, whether the treatment is preventive, cosmetic, or even restorative. That means you can expect results that’ll truly help your grin stay strong and beautiful! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (972)-492-6700.