Your oral health is very important to your general health, especially when it comes to making your immune system stronger. A healthy mouth and a strong immune system are two things that people often forget about, but bad oral care can cause serious health problems.
A reputable dentist in Sterling, VA, can help you maintain excellent oral health for those in need of professional dental care. You can make better choices about your dental care if you know how your oral health affects your overall health.
The link between oral health and immunity.
To protect the body from dangerous infections, the immune system needs to be in good shape. Poor oral care can make bad germs grow in the mouth. Through the gums, these germs can get into the bloodstream and cause pain all over the body.
The immune system works harder to protect the body when there are more bacteria around. This extra stress can make the immune system weaker, which means it can not fight off infections as well.
Inflammation from gum disease, especially periodontitis, is a major cause of weakening the immune system. It has been linked to more serious health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, and breathing problems, as this long-term condition gets worse.
Keeping your mouth clean and free of germs helps your immune system work better, which is good for your health as a whole.
The impact on respiratory health.
Your mouth is directly linked to the way you breathe. Bacteria in the mouth, especially those that come from gum disease, can get into the lungs and cause dangerous lung diseases like pneumonia.
For people who already have lung diseases like COPD, this is especially dangerous. Good oral cleanliness lowers the chance that germs will get into the lungs, which is good for protecting respiratory health.
Heart health and oral care.
Your heart health may be impacted by your dental hygiene. Bacteria in the mouth that cause gum disease can get into the bloodstream and may end up in the heart.
This can lead to inflammation, which makes heart disease more likely and raises the risk of stroke and heart attack.
Poor oral health has been linked to an increased risk of heart problems, according to research. A healthy heart can be achieved by brushing, flossing, and getting professional dental cleanings on a regular basis.
Diabetes and oral health.
A lot of people with diabetes also have bad oral health. Because high blood sugar makes it harder for the body to fight off infections, people with diabetes are more likely to get gum disease.
This makes maintaining good oral health even more important for people with diabetes. On the other hand, gum disease that is not handled can make it harder for people with diabetes to keep their blood sugar under control.
People with diabetes can better take care of both their oral health and their diabetes by brushing and flossing their teeth and gums every day.
The mental health connection.
Not only does oral health affect the body, but it also affects the mind. People who lose teeth or have painful gums often feel less confident in themselves, which can make them feel embarrassed or anxious around other people.
These problems can lead to stress and sadness. Taking care of your teeth can make you feel a lot better about your self-esteem and ease the stress that comes with having problems with your oral health.
Inflammation throughout the body is linked to bad oral health. This makes the immune system weaker and raises the risk of heart disease, pneumonia, and diabetes.
For good oral health, which supports a healthy body and strong immune system, regular cleaning, flossing, and dental checkups are essential.
Taking care of your teeth is an investment in your health as a whole, as it will keep your mouth and body healthy for years to come.
