How Your Overall Health Is Affected By Your Dental Health

You may know that you should brush your teeth if you’re interested in protecting the health of your teeth, but did you know that brushing and flossing could also help your overall health? If you don’t care for the health of your teeth, plaque and bacteria may enter your bloodstream and cause long-term damage. Even major organs such as your heart, brain, and lungs can be affected by bad bacteria in your mouth.

You may know that one reason you should brush and floss your teeth is simply to avoid plaque buildup. Plaque can lead to a number of serious problems, such as gum disease. However, did you know that the same plaque can also clog your arteries? You may know that plaque in your arteries could make your heart work harder to spread blood throughout your body. Sadly, this can also leave you more vulnerable to heart disease.

Unfortunately, bacteria from plaque have also been found in the brain. Some claim that this can actually lead to serious cognitive diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. In fact, it has been noted that gum disease can actually make this cognitive disease worse.

Finally, upper respiratory problems, such as pneumonia and the common cold, are much more common in individuals with lackluster oral health. Many dentists believe that this issue is a result of this bad bacteria entering the lungs simply from breathing.

Fortunately, you can prevent a number of issues simply by brushing, flossing, and visiting our dentist, Dr. Michael O'Neill, once every six months. We’ll be happy to examine your mouth and offer you any advice you need. To learn more, please feel free to contact Wildwood Family & Cosmetic Dentistry at (419) 536-9196. We’re eager to hear from you!