Health is wealth is not just a cliché; it holds a strong truth.
Did you know that mouth health can profoundly impact your overall well-being? Recent research has uncovered a unique relationship between oral health and general health. This may include systemic conditions, including heart disease and pregnancy and birth complications.
In this article, we’ll explore the connection between dental health and risk factors associated with poor oral hygiene. So, hold on tight and embark on an enlightening journey as we unravel the mysteries of the mouth-body connection.
Understanding the Dental Treatment Effect on Health
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), poor oral health, including tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss, affected many Australian children and adults, contributing to 4.5% of all non-fatal burden diseases in 2015. It is estimated that thousands of people suffer from untreated dental problems and poor dental hygiene even today.
Maintaining good oral hygiene and dental hygiene is one of the best preventative measures you can take for long-term wellness and longevity, even though dental checkups and treatment may not seem directly related to conditions like diabetes or dementia.
The Importance of a Healthy Mouth
While we all know the importance of good dental hygiene, only some of us know its significant impact on specific medical conditions. long-term effects of poor oral hygiene can change the condition of the main organs. For those with diabetes, heart disease, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, oral health plays a crucial role in determining their overall health and well-being.
- Good dental health is vital to maintaining whole-person health, especially for people with certain medical conditions.
- Regular preventive dental care can reduce overall healthcare costs and help address needed dental treatment.
- Poor oral health can exacerbate medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Dental management is vital for organ transplants and radiation therapy for head and neck cancers.
- Poor oral health can lead to infections, delay a kidney transplant, cause a heart attack or stroke, and exacerbate Sjogren’s Syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Parkinson’s Disease, ALS, Huntington’s Disease, opioid misuse/addiction, and pregnancy complications.
- Regular dental care can quickly reduce the oral side effects of various medical conditions. Don’t forget the importance of dental treatment effect on health.
The Devastating Impact of Poor Oral Health
An individual’s physical and psychological well-being can be severely impacted by oral diseases such as tooth decay and periodontal disease. Tooth loss is one of the consequences of these diseases, making it difficult to chew and swallow, leading to poor nutrition and an increased risk of other health problems.
Beyond the physical effects, dental disease can also take a toll on a person’s self-esteem and social participation. Dental problems can lead to embarrassment and difficulty in communication and social interactions, hindering one’s career and personal life prospects.
Dental diseases are not just uncomfortable and worrying; they can also cause severe, long-term damage to our bodies. Let’s read more about diseases caused by poor dental hygiene!
Cardiovascular Disease: A Silent Threat
While heart disease continues to be a leading cause of death globally, it is worth noting that the risk of developing cardiovascular disease could be increased by gum disease, a fact often overlooked.
The bacteria from infected gums can enter the bloodstream and travel to the heart, blocking the arteries and causing atherosclerosis. Keeping your gums healthy isn’t just good for your smile and heart health.
Respiratory Infections: From the Mouth to the Lungs
The existing bacteria in the oral cavity can pave the way for respiratory issues like pneumonia and bronchitis, as the microbes can travel to the lungs and instigate infections. This is a concern for older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Maintaining proper oral hygiene and promoting gum health could be crucial in diminishing the likelihood of contracting respiratory infections.
Diabetes: A Two-Way Street
Diabetes is also a medical condition that affects teeth, and also oral hygiene can affect diabetes. Did you know that most gum diseases can make it more difficult to manage diabetes? Poor oral hygiene can make it harder to control blood sugar levels, leading to complications. Conversely, people with diabetes are more susceptible to gum disease.
Our experts in AcaciaDental provide treatments to improve dental care for diabetics; book your appointment today!
Pregnancy Complications: The Oral-Systemic Connection
Hormonal changes in pregnancy can also lead to gum disease, which can cause inflammation and bleeding of the gums. Dentists know this condition as pregnancy gingivitis. It’s good to know that gingivitis during pregnancy has been linked to premature births and low-birth-weight babies, emphasizing the importance of maintaining good oral health during pregnancy.
Furthermore, pregnant women may be hesitant to seek dental care due to misconceptions about the safety of dental procedures during pregnancy. However, routine dental visits and procedures such as cleanings and fillings are generally safe and can prevent more complex and costly dental problems later.
Kidney Disease: The Link You Didn’t Expect
Several studies have identified a strong association between kidney disease and periodontal disease, an infectious and inflammatory condition affecting the teeth’ gums and other supportive tissues.
Periodontal therapy, including scaling and root planing, may also improve renal function in individuals with chronic kidney disease by reducing systemic inflammation and oxidative stress.
Prioritizing Oral Health in Marginalized Groups
The National Oral Health Plan has identified four priority population groups who face challenges in accessing oral care and are more susceptible to poor oral health. Which are:
- Individuals experiencing social disadvantage or residing on a limited income, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander citizens, residents of regional and remote areas, and elderly Australians are at heightened risk of facing health disparities.
- People who are socially disadvantaged or on low incomes have historically been identified as those on a low income or receiving some form of government income assistance. Still, now it extends to include people experiencing other forms of disadvantage.
- Compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts, Indigenous Australians are statistically more prone to experiencing numerous dental caries and untreated oral diseases and less likely to have received preventative dental care.
- People living in regional and remote areas have poorer oral health than those in Major cities, with access to fewer dental practitioners, longer travel times, and limited transport options to services.
- Older Australians often experience poorer oral health due to chronic conditions affecting their access to services.
At AcaciaDental Care, we share the same goal. Dental bills can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to handle financial struggles. That’s why we offer a range of Payment Plans to help decrease dental bills. If you’re interested in learning more, call us today, and let us help you take charge of your oral health and finances!
Oral Health Can Affect Your Mental Health Too!
Yet, in discussing health, we often forget that oral health is equally essential as physical health and mental well-being. The notion that oral and mental health are interconnected is relatively new, but a growing body of research is starting to shed light on the topic. While physical health and severe mental illnesses have long been in the spotlight, it’s time to turn the spotlight on oral health and mental health, two sides of the same coin.
- Despite its essential connection to mental health, oral health is often overlooked in people with severe mental illness.
- There is a two-way association between oral and mental health, with dental treatment potentially causing anxiety and many psychiatric disorders linked to dental disease.
- People with severe mental illness are at a significantly higher risk of losing all their teeth compared to the general population.
- Possible interventions to improve oral health in people with severe mental illness include oral health assessments, help with oral hygiene, management of dry mouth, and early dental referral.
Uncover the Secrets of Radiant Smiles: Explore the Most Expensive Dental Masterpieces
Smile Your Way to Good Health
Taking care of your oral health should be a top priority for achieving and maintaining overall health. To aim this goal, Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene practices can help prevent serious health problems.
If you’re looking for a General Dentistry Service In Darwin, do not forget Acacia Dental Care!
Book your appointment today and experience the transformative dental treatment effect on health!