Teeth and gums are crucial and inevitable parts of our health and wellbeing. They speak volumes about our internal health. In fact, our dental health and overall physiological well-being go hand in hand. Several diseases and health issues may manifest themselves in your gums, teeth, tongue, and dental cavity. So, dental care plays a vital role in maintaining good health. Regular dental check-ups from experienced dentists and caring for your teeth and gums can help you a lot in maintaining good oral health and overall well-being and be aware of possible ailments prevailing in your body. And, if you are wondering how your dental health reflects your overall physiological well-being and how you can maintain good oral health, think no further. Keep reading to learn all about it.
6 Early Warning Dental Signs that indicate Underlying Health Problem
- Developing a sore or burning tongue is a common sign of vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron deficiencies.
- Bleeding gums are indicative of Scurvy or deficiency of vitamin C.
- Sores in the throat, the inner side of the cheeks, and on the lips and tonsils are warning signs of leukemia.
- Red, swollen gums and your teeth being sensitive to tapping are early warning signs of diabetes.
- The presence of tiny haemorrhagic spots on the palate (i.e. roof of the mouth) and inflamed gums indicate may infectious mononucleosis.
- If you happen to suffer from bulimia, which is an eating disorder causing binge eating, followed by vomiting, you may experience a loss of enamel and dentine on your teeth’s inner area.
What is Periodontitis?
Periodontitis, which is also called gum disease, indicates various health ailments affecting your body. Severe infection affecting the gums which can result in the loss of teeth or some serious health issues is called periodontitis. It causes gum infection which damages the soft tissues and, if not treated on time, can lead to the destruction of the bone supporting your teeth. Not only does it destroys your teeth but it can also cause various health diseases. Find them below.
8 Health Ailments Related to Gum Disease:
1. Pneumonia
Aged individuals, particularly elderly in their 80s and requiring healthcare for their prevailing ailments, are highly vulnerable to aspiration pneumonia. The build-up of plaque occurs in the elderly due to poor dental hygiene. When the dental plaque comprising of bacteria traverses down the lungs and affects the respiratory tract, it may make them suffer from pneumonia. As a result, elderly individuals may suffer from serious health complications. So, it is crucial to maintain good oral hygiene not only by aged people but by all age groups.
2. Diabetes
Diabetes and periodontitis are interlinked. Over 90% of elderly individuals suffering from diabetes also suffer from periodontitis. If periodontitis is not treated in diabetic patients, the gum disease can cause permanent tooth loss. As people having diabetes find it difficult to regulate their blood glucose levels, they are at high risk of contracting oral infections very easily.
Periodontal ailment leads to inflammation which impairs the affected individual’s ability to utilize insulin, and this results in health complications, such as diabetes. It has been observed that individuals suffering from periodontitis are at a high risk of developing diabetes.
3. Heart Disease
Elderly individuals suffering from gum disease are highly vulnerable to heart issues. Plaque and bacteria present in the gums may get into the bloodstream and traverse to the heart. These harmful bacteria comprise a protein that happens to promote clot formation, thereby leading to the narrowing of your heart artery and increasing the risk of heart disease. Regular dental check-ups and tooth cleaning can help you keep gum disease and thus heart disease at bay.
4. Stroke
Aged individuals suffering from periodontitis, which if left untreated, are at risk of suffering from a fatal stroke. This is because bacteria in the gum can get into the bloodstream and affect the blood supply to the brain adversely by clogging the carotid artery, which is a prominent artery supplying blood to the brain. The clogging of the carotid artery may result in a stroke.
5. Alzheimer’s Disease
Periodontitis is even harmful to your psychological health. Medical studies reveal that the inflammation and infection of the gums can may you suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a type of brain ailment that leads to the loss of memory and debilitative cognitive functions. Individuals suffering from gum disease, if left untreated, are at risk of suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
6. Cancer
If you have the habit of chewing tobacco or smoking and having poor oral hygiene, you are at risk of developing oral cancer. It can affect various soft tissues of your lining of the mouth, tongue, and lips adversely. If it goes undiagnosed and untreated, it can affect your facial muscles and deteriorate your quality of life. Gum disease also increases your risk of developing pancreatic cancer and kidney cancer.
7. Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis has a strong connection with tooth loss and periodontal bone loss. Smoking, immune deficiency, age, and poor nutritional status are some of the risk factors that increase your chances of developing periodontal disease and osteoporosis. If you have periodontal disease, it might be an indication of osteoporosis. This is because osteoporosis aggravates periodontal conditions.
8. Respiratory Problems
Gum disease is also harmful to your respiratory system. The bacteria which cause the gum disease can get into your bloodstream and traverse to the lungs, thereby aggravating your respiratory health, particularly if you are already having some respiratory issues. So, taking care of your gums, teeth, and overall dental health is crucial.
5 Good Oral Hygiene Habits that can help you have Good Dental and Overall Health
Your dental health has a strong link to your overall health. Any issue with your gums, teeth, tongue, and denture can affect your health negatively. So, it is important to follow good oral hygiene habits, prevent the onset or progression of oral ailment and maintain good dental health.
- Brush your teeth twice daily
One of the norms which we follow since childhood is brushing the teeth twice a day. Brush your teeth using fluoride toothpaste in the morning after getting up and at night before going to bed. This will help you maintain clean teeth and get rid of any food particles stuck between your teeth. Make sure that you change your toothbrush after every four months. Also, floss your teeth daily to avoid the build-up of plaque, tartar, and bacteria. Brushing after every meal is a very good practice and should be adopted, if feasible.
- Reduce your sugar intake
Decreasing your intake of sugar can help avoid tooth decay. Excessive and frequent intake of sugar has a direct connection with tooth decay. So, minimize the intake of sugary and caffeinated drinks. Make sure that you drink water after every meal (meals comprise of sweeteners and sugary foods often) to flush build-up of all the acids which can lead to tooth decay. Besides sugar, also avoid cavity-producing foods in your diet. Cut down or eliminate the consumption of alcohol or tobacco as it is harmful to your dental health.
- Practice denture care
If you are in the practice of wearing dentures, you happen to have a risk of catching a fungal infection. Acrylic resin is permeable and it increases the risk of the formation of plaque on your dentures. So, make sure that you clean your dentures regularly. Use a denture brush to clean them and rinse them properly under the tap’s running water. Also, remove your dentures before you go to sleep every night so that your gum tissues can relax. Keep your cleaned dentures in a vessel containing clean and cold water.
- Care for your tongue
A plaque containing harmful bacteria can also build-up on your tongue. Such a plaque can make you experience unpleasant mouth odour and make you suffer from various other oral health issues. So, brush your tongue gently every time you happen to brush your teeth. This will help you maintain your tongue clean and plaque-free.
- Have regular dental check-ups
Going for dental check-ups and teeth cleaning regularly can help you maintain good dental health. It helps diagnose and treat various oral conditions on time. Also, the dentist would recommend you the right dental habits, offer professional dental care, and provide appropriate nutritious diet tips to maintain good dental health.
Now that you know how your teeth, gums, and dental health are linked to your overall good health, make sure that you care for your oral health. If you happen to suffer from any dental complaints, such as toothache, bleeding of the gums, sore gums, or any other issue, get in touch with us at Nightingales on 1800 103 4530 or https://www.nightingales.in. Our expert & experienced dentists and healthcare professionals will be pleased to guide and treat you and help you enjoy good dental health without any hassles. Whether you need medical assistance for teeth cleaning, tooth extraction, dentures, or any other dental treatment, get it in your comfort of home by contacting us at Nightingales.
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