The health and fitness industry has experienced a huge boom in the past decade compared to the previous ones. More people are now getting on the health and fitness bandwagon with the desire to live a healthier lifestyle.
Different kinds of fitness programs and diets have been developed for people of different physical and medical backgrounds. But did you know that all the exercise and diet in the world will not do you any good if your oral health is compromised? When we talk about oral health, we don’t just mean simply brushing your teeth or going for a teeth whitening treatment in Townsville. While those are great things to do, there’s more to oral health than those.
The Body-Mouth Connection
Fact: Our mouths are filled with bacteria.
This is no cause for alarm because most of the bacteria present in our mouths are harmless. As long as you brush your teeth three times a day and floss them, you have everything under control. However, if you neglect taking care of your teeth and gums, certain serious health concerns may arise.
Bacteria in your mouth tend to multiply make acids when combined with sugar. These acids are the ones responsible for giving you tooth decay, cavities, bleeding gums, and periodontitis, which when left untreated, can cause complications in other areas of the body.
Conditions Linked to Oral Health
Periodontitis
This is one of the most common human oral diseases. This involves the inflammation of the gums which negatively affects the other supporting structures of the teeth.
Diabetes
Gum disease is one of the most common denominators among diabetics. According to research, those who have gum disease have a harder time controlling their body’s blood sugar levels. For those with diabetes, gum disease makes absorbing insulin harder for your body.
Heart Disease
While there is still some uncertainty in this area, some researches indicate that heart disease, stroke, and clogged arteries have a certain connection to infections caused by oral bacteria.
Complications in Pregnancy
Studies show that dental problems can cause high-risk pregnancy which can sometimes lead to premature labor. It is said that oral inflammations and infections affect fetal development, too.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis and periodontitis are both bone loss diseases. Researchers are still conducting further studies on the topic but they believe that women who have osteoporosis are move susceptible to gum disease compared to those who don’t have it.
Pneumonia
A bacterial build-up in the lungs caused by periodontitis can lead to lung complications such as pulmonary diseases and pneumonia.
Obesity
Obesity has been linked to periodontal disease. Based on studies done, it is found that periodontitis progresses more rapidly among those with higher body fat.
HIV and AIDS
Since HIV and AIDS already weakens a person’s immune system, any infection brought about by oral and dental diseases can further complicate an HIV-infected person’s health, which puts them at a higher risk of danger.
While the connection between oral health and overall health is a fairly new study, new discoveries are made as time passes. This only goes to show that one should never let your oral health take a back seat.
