Is your dental health affecting your overall health? Chances are the answer is yes, but you don’t even know it. Nothing hurts, no pain. There is a strong chance you might have an underlying dental infection and not even feeling it. You haven’t visited the dentist for years as there was no reason to. Did you know? One of the things that may cause you a heart attack is a tooth infection, a dental abscess with absolutely no pain.
Over 655,000 deaths a year in the US occur from heart attacks. And some researchers believe that nearly 50% of those heart attacks are trigger through dental infections. That’s over 300,000 deaths a year caused by preventable oral infections. Did you know? 90% of dental infections have no pain symptoms. The United States surgeon general, back in the year 2000, published a report indicating that “you need a healthy mouth to have a healthy body.” Remember, just because something doesn’t hurt doesn’t mean it’s okay.
The Age Factor
One of the reasons why you might need dental treatment is your age. According to the center for disease control, 47% of Americans over 30 have gum disease once in their lifetime. And if you’re over 65, that jumps it over 70%. Gum disease is an infection in the gums dumping harmful bacteria right into the bloodstream. There is no pain, and no indication other than your gums may bleed a little when you brush or floss your teeth.
Preventing Pus
All infections, including gum disease, cause pus. But what is pus made of? It contains harmful bacteria, dead tissue debris, white blood cells, inflammatory proteins, and several other toxins. But where does the pus go? It either drains out or drains in. It drains out; you see it and clean that mess up, like when you pop a pimple. When it drains in, you never see it. The pus absorbs in the bloodstream, working its way to the heart, lungs, and pumps through the whole body. Imagine, pus pumping through your body 24 hours a day for weeks, months, or even years is healthy?– Think again!
Cardiovascular Disease
Bacteria and gum disease have already known to be a leading cause of cardiovascular illnesses. And that is what makes heart attacks the number one reason for deaths in the United States. Fact check: Strokes are also the leading cause of disability globally.
Diabetes
Gum disease and diabetes have a bi-directional relationship. That means, when your gum disease improves, your diabetes improves as well. Managing diabetes can be complicated but having a healthy mouth is one of the simplest ways to manage this condition. Did you know? People with gum disease are three times more likely to have diabetes.
Removing Plaque and Tartar
Regular brushing and flossing can prevent plaque and tartar buildup. However, if plaque remains on the corners of your mouth, it can quickly turn into tartar. Yes! And there is no way to remove it with flossing or brushing. Removal of plaque and tartar removes cavities and rot from your mouth. To ensure complete and proper oral hygiene, you need to consult your dentist to clean it through scaling.
Improved Blood Pressure
Can a dental infection raise your blood pressure? Yes! Infection in any part of our body can increase our blood pressure. As mentioned earlier, bad oral health can cause gum diseases and infection in your mouth, which can eventually cause high blood pressure. The best way to reduce blood pressure is by eliminating the source rather than treating the symptoms. Therefore, dental treatments are essential to ensure you have improved blood pressure levels.
Gingivitis
If you haven’t seen your dentist for years, chances are you have inflamed gums. This inflammation under your teeth is a gum disease known as gingivitis. The condition may worsen and lead to a more severe condition known as Periodontitis. It is highlight recommended that you get minor dental treatment to ensure improved oral health.
Other Health Conditions
Researchers are finding oral bacteria in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. Did you know? In worse case scenarios, oral infections cause adverse effects, leading to preterm birth and stillbirth outcomes.
All in All
A careful examination of the mouth might discover the source of some of the common diseases your doctors are treating with several medications. It’s worth having a good oral exam as it might tell you what dental treatments you might need. If there is an infection in any part of our body, chances are the bacteria is coming in through the body’s front door, our mouth. If we can keep our mouth clean, we’re already preventing ourselves from some severe medical conditions.
If this information was helpful to you, we recommend visiting our dental care center in Goose Creek, SC, and meeting one of our family dentists for a free consultation. At Huch Family Dentistry, we care about your health and, therefore, will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision. Take care, and stay healthy.