Many people know the basics of dental care, including seeing a dentist, brushing your teeth, and eating the right foods. However, what many people don’t know is that poor dental health has been connected with people developing certain diseases and conditions. Many studies have been conducted linking poor dental hygiene and dental diseases with serious health conditions which could be affecting your fitness goals and overall health. These serious conditions include:
Endocarditis
Endocarditis is a severe infection of the inner lining of the chamber and valves surrounding your heart, and it is a rare but potentially fatal infection. It is caused when bacteria enter the blood, and then enter the heart, infecting the valves around your heart. The most common way the bacteria that causes endocarditis enters your bloodstream is via your teeth and mouth, so if you have bad oral hygiene, you risk developing endocarditis. Overall, having good oral hygiene and cleaning your teeth often is the best thing you can do for your heart and your overall health. A leading Cheltenham dentist has made the connection between patients with endocarditis and worse dental health.
Cardiovascular disease
Your heart could also potentially be damaged by cardiovascular disease. Recently, many scientists and medical researchers have been looking into the possible connection between dental health and cardiovascular issues. Many studies have shown a link between the development of heart disease, clogged arteries and strokes can be linked to inflammation and infections that come as a result of untreated oral bacteria. If you have poor dental hygiene and you have a buildup of plaque, this could result in bacteria thriving in your mouth. Therefore, having a buildup of bacteria in your mouth could result in developing serious heart problems, and could affect your long-term health and fitness goals.
Pneumonia
Your lungs are also an important part of having a healthy lifestyle, however, poor dental health could result in serious lung problems. Medical researchers have been looking into the connection between poor oral health and lung infections, and it has been shown that bacteria from the teeth can be pulled into your lungs. This bacteria can cause lung conditions as serious as pneumonia, as well as a lot of other respiratory diseases. Lung infections can have serious long-term effects on your health and can limit your breathing ability and your ability to exercise for long periods. If you want to mitigate the risks of developing lung infections, you should be taking care of your oral hygiene.
If you’re concerned about your health conditions affecting your dental health, there are many things you can do to treat this. For example, make sure that you’re seeing your doctor and dentist regularly. You can also make sure that your dentist is aware of your health records and history. A leading dentist in Leamington Spa found that patients who shared their medical history with their dentist had a better idea of how to protect their teeth overall. If you’re worried about a potential medical problem affecting your teeth, make sure that you contact your dentist and doctor so they can work out a treatment plan for you.