Give your mouth the care it deserves.
Swollen or bleeding gums, painful cavities, bad breath – poor dental health is a problem and not just because it makes you a significantly less kissable person. What happens in your mouth can affect other parts of the body, sometimes seriously.
What is the idea? Bacteria in the mouth can spread throughout the rest of the body, says Sanda Moldovan, a periodontist in Beverli Hills. Which may have unpleasant consequences.
But where do those bacteria go? And what havoc do they cause? Here’s a look at how poor oral health can affect virtually the entire body.
POOR ORAL HEALTH INCREASES THE RISK OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES AND EMBOLIES
According to Mazen Natour, a doctor of dental medicine, many studies have shown a link between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease, as well as an increased risk of stroke.
This is because the same bacteria that cause periodontitis symptoms like inflammation, bleeding, and bone loss around teeth can travel through the bloodstream to the arteries, says Dr. Natour.
“Bacteria can stick to the walls of the arteries that are feeding the heart and cause small blood clots,” he says. “When this occurs, the risk of obstructing blood flow to the heart increases.”
The possible result? A clot that blocks blood flow to the heart can mean a heart attack. Also, it is possible that clots can interfere with blood flow to the brain, which can also lead to a stroke.
POOR ORAL HEALTH INCREASES THE RISK OF SUFFERING FROM CANCER
Just as bacteria can swell the gums, they can cause similar reactions in other body tissues. The National Institutes of Health in the United States indicates that inflammation has long been associated with the development of cancer, and as tumors grow, more tissue becomes damaged and inflamed.
Inflammation may be the underlying cause of the link between periodontitis and certain cancers, says Dr. Moldovan. In fact, a new study published in Cancer Research found that some of the same types of bacteria that trigger periodontitis may also be linked to an increased risk of esophageal cancer.
Additionally, a 2016 study in the Annals of Oncology found that men with periodontitis were 13 percent more likely to develop cancer overall, and those with an advanced form of gum disease were 45 percent more likely to develop cancer. odds of being diagnosed with cancer. Tobacco-related cancers, such as lung, bladder, esophageal, kidney, stomach, and liver cancers, seemed to affect the study participants the most.
POOR ORAL HEALTH INCREASES THE RISK OF SUFFERING Erectile Dysfunction
Speaking of a good reason to floss: Research has suggested that there is a connection between systemic inflammation (a symptom that could be caused by that bacteria that travels in the mouth) and an increased risk of developing impotence.
In fact, in a preliminary Taiwanese investigation, men with erectile dysfunction were 79 percent more likely to have been diagnosed with periodontitis than men without erectile dysfunction.
Long-term, chronic inflammation can damage blood vessels, including those that lead to your crotch.
POOR ORAL HEALTH INCREASES THE RISK OF SUFFERING PROBLEMS IN THE PROSTATE
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is an enzyme created in the prostate that is normally secreted in small amounts. But when the prostate becomes inflamed or infected, PSA levels rise, says the American Academy of Periodontology in the United States.
The organization claims that men with periodontitis symptoms tend to have higher PSA levels, as well as increased inflammation of the prostate. This is a problem, it can lead to a condition known as prostatitis, which affects men of all ages, according to the Harvard Medical School. The problem can lead to painful irritation, ejaculation difficulties, pain in the perineum, and an urge to urinate.
HOW TO IMPROVE ORAL HEALTH
According to the AAP, periodontitis is highest in men: 56 percent, compared to 38 percent in women, possibly because they are less likely to go to the dentist, where they can treat problems such as bacterial plaque, tartar, and bleeding.
However, by improving your oral health, the risk of suffering from these problems, caused by bacteria, is much lower, says Dr. Natour. He suggests that if you don’t have any gum disease or dental problems, you should see your dentist for cleanings and checkups every six months, he suggests.
If you already have periodontitis, for example, you have symptoms of it, such as spitting up blood by brushing your teeth or flossing, or your gums feeling swollen, or if you are more prone to cavities, you probably need to visit your dentist every four months.
Sure you’ve heard this before, but it’s worth repeating: floss every day. We know that nobody likes it, but it makes a big difference, says Dr. Moldovan.
“Recently, I heard a statistic that ensures that, on average, a person uses 18 inches of dental floss a year,” he adds. “That amount is what you should be using in two days.”
Another practical strategy is to reduce sugar intake, Dr. Moldovam says sugar can stick to teeth and become a perfect refuge for bacteria, which can contribute to plaque; as well as rinsing the mouth with water after eating.
He also advises chewing gum or mints with artificial xylitol sweetener, as this can help stimulate saliva, which eliminates bacteria in the mouth more efficiently.