subject: The Connection Between Your Overall Health And Your Teeth [print this page] Something that your dentist will probably tell you is that many people overlook the connections that exist between overall health and the oral health of an individual. What many people fail to realize is that the state of health within a person's mouth can have a direct impact on nearly every other of the bodies systems. Failure to maintain proper oral hygiene and health can actually directly contribute to a host of problems which are much more serious, and potentially even deadly, than those that we typically associate with oral health.
One of the most commonly overlooked elements of oral health is just how serious many of the diseases which are linked to it are. For instance, cavities or gum disease can be contributing factors in the development of conditions as serious as diabetes. Obviously this is a condition that most people would wish to take measures to prevent, which brings us back to the extreme importance of overall better oral health care.
Lung disease is another issue which is linked to oral health which many people do not realize. Gum disease is a contributing factor to respiratory illnesses. In addition, the plaque which resides in our mouth contains harmful bacteria. If left to grow and flourish, it can travel into the lungs further aggravating or causing problems related to the respiratory system.
There are other conditions which evidence links to poor oral health but which further study is needed to conclusively confirm. This includes heart problems, and the incidences of pre term births in pregnant women, both of which have been linked in some way to oral health problems.
Some of the problems of bad oral health are obvious. Teeth can be lost, the mouth can gain an unpleasant appearance, bad breath can develop, and all of these conditions are problematic in and of themselves, in addition to being extremely damaging to self esteem. However, the truth is that there is even more serious, life threatening problems that can arise in people that don't take proper care of their teeth. Infections can also form in the mouth when cavities or gum disease are present, which can easily complicate and cause serious problems for your overall health. Taking care of your mouth and teeth through both a proper home oral health regimen and through regular visits to your dentist are an important part of an overall strategy for a healthy body and long life.
