Blog Post
Do My Teeth Affect My Overall Health?
gmsadmin • Feb 06, 2017
Poor Oral Health Can Negatively Impact Other Parts of Your Body
It would be nice to say that every system in our body functions independently and has no effect on any systems besides itself. Unfortunately, that’s just not the case. Our bodies’ systems are intertwined and are affected by different factors of our health. Believe it or not, poor oral health can negatively impact other parts of your body.
- Your Heart: People who suffer from gum disease due to poor oral care are twice as likely to also suffer from coronary artery disease when compared to those who don’t have periodontitis. While research is not fully conclusive, medical experts think the correlation between the two diseases may be caused by harmful bacteria leaving your mouth and entering your bloodstream.
- Your Memory : Some researchers suggest that there is a tie between dementia and poor oral health. In a study that followed women between the ages of 75 and 98, those with fewer teeth were most likely to suffer from dementia. Experts believe this is due to oral bacteria spreading through cranial nerves or the bloodstream to the brain.
- Your Blood Sugar: People with diabetes are more likely to suffer from periodontal disease than those without diabetes. This is, in part, due to those with diabetes being more susceptible to infection and gum disease making it harder to control blood sugar. Treating gum disease can help improve diabetes symptoms.
- Your Breathing: Gum disease can up your chances of suffering from respiratory infections, such as COPD and pneumonia. Researchers believe this is due to bacteria being inhaled into your lungs, potentially causing your airways to become inflamed.
Gum disease, and subsequently, other major health problems, can be prevented with good oral care. Ron Murphy Dentistry is committed to keeping your mouth healthy with personalized dental care. To schedule an appointment at our Batavia, IL office, call 630-879-7642.