If you want to take care of your teeth to avoid toothaches, cavities, or yellow teeth, then that is good in itself, but did you know that you are doing a lot more than just avoiding coffee stains, bad breath, and cavities when you have a proper oral care? You could actually also be avoiding serious health problems like stroke, heart attack, preterm labor, or worsened diabetes.
How Are Oral Health and Serious Diseases Related?
It seems unlikely, but it’s definitely possible that poor oral health can escalate to a point of not just causing serious issues like gum disease and oral cancer, but also poor heart health and even possibly heart attacks.
When plaque starts to build up and your gums become inflamed you are starting to develop gum disease. At this point, routine brushing and flossing cause bleeding and therefor an entry point into your bloodstream. Millions of bacteria reside in your mouth at all times, and gum disease provides these harmful bacteria a port of entry into your bloodstream. This can lead to serious health issues.
What Factors Increase Your Risk?
The biggest factor that contributes to your risk of serious disease such as gum disease, oral cancer, and any other disease linked to poor oral health is your personal dental routine. If you brush twice a day and floss regularly, then you most likely have a healthy mouth no matter what brand of toothpaste or floss you use. If you use soft bristled toothbrushes, then you have nothing to worry about when it comes to the health of your gums.
Besides your oral routine, dry mouth can be a huge factor in developing serious diseases. Saliva is one of your biggest lines of defense when it comes to your oral health. Saliva helps to balance the bacteria in your mouth, and kill harmful pathogens. It protects your teeth in many ways, so when your mouth is dry, you run a much higher risk.