Dental disease affects more than just your mouth. Poor oral health is linked to quite a few chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, lung conditions, and stroke. Beyond physical health, oral imbalances can affect productivity levels, employment opportunities and even one’s dating life.
According to Open Oral Health, while the US healthcare system insists on treating each section of the body as a separate entity, it is clear that oral health is interconnected with a person’s overall wellness. Let’s take gingivitis as an example. This bacterial infection leads to inflammation, which is spread throughout the body via blood and saliva. In its most severe cases, the bacteria can embed itself into the body’s most vital organs, causing further inflammation that can be detrimental to one’s physical state.
Diabetes and heart disease are frequently associated with one’s mouth. In fact, more than 90% of patients with heart disease have periodontal disease and 95% of those with diabetes suffer from gum disease. Treating gum disease can actually improve diabetic health.
But what about lifestyle? How does oral health affect one’s ability to make friends, get a job and get better grades in school?
Whether we want to admit it or not, the human race is a judgmental one. A simple smile can determine the outcome of a first date. Foul mouth odor may affect whether one passes an interview. Chronic tooth or jaw pain can easily distract a student from comprehending a long-winded university lecture.
Oral health is critical. A healthy mouth, many times, indicates a healthy body and lifestyle. The foods we eat, the cleaning routine we keep, and the dental appointments we make will assist in better overall wellness.
