Did you know that suffering from poor oral health doesn’t only affect your smile, but your overall health too? By neglecting your daily brushing and flossing routine, or skipping bi-annual dental cleanings you are having far more impact on your health than you may realize. Today, our dentists would like to take a moment to share some of their concerns about how ignoring your oral health can harm you.
Most people who don’t take care of their smiles have learned the hard way that poor oral health often results in oral and facial pain. Unfortunately, these symptoms are both common outcomes of gum disease. This oral disease is essentially an infection of the gums which occurs when plaque and tartar are not removed from the teeth and gumline. Unless this formation is removed, over time you will end up with loose teeth or losing teeth altogether.
Poor oral health also causes complications with major organs in the body, and especially the heart. When your smile has oral infections, the resultant bacteria spread through the bloodstream into other areas of your body. This can cause your vital organs to become inflamed, resulting in serious complications.
You can also find yourself with digestive issues resulting from poor oral health. The digestive process begins in the mouth, as it starts the food breakdown process as you chew your food. You can’t properly chew your food if you have loose, damaged, or missing teeth. The result? Over time you may end up with intestinal failure, irritable bowel syndrome, or other serious digestive disorders.
Don’t be tempted to ignore your oral health needs. You can easily prevent oral problems by simple, daily care. Brush and floss every day, and attend those dentist check-ups and cleanings. Your mouth and your health will thank you!
If you have any oral health questions, please call our Dental Designs of Bountiful team today at 801-295-7171. Our dentists, Dr. David L. Duke, Dr. James Keddington, and Dr. Robert Albertelli are here for your smiles in Bountiful, Utah!