Put your money where your mouth is! The health of your mouth, teeth and gums can have a big impact on your overall health. We know you鈥檙e busy. You鈥檝e got school, work and you want to have a social life every once in a while right? That doesn鈥檛 mean you can stop taking care of your teeth! Making your oral health a top priority will keep your whole body in better shape. No, brushing your teeth won鈥檛 give you those six pack abs you鈥檝e been longing for, but the more you take care of yourself now, the better off you鈥檒l be in the long run. Having bad oral health habits can lead to problems all over the place. We鈥檙e breaking down just a few of the health issues you could face if you neglect your mouth.
Diabetes
You know your dentist and dental hygienist want you to have healthy gums鈥hey鈥檙e not the only ones! Research shows people whose gums are in bad shape tend to have bigger health issues. According to the an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes has been linked to unhealthy gums. If you have diabetes and gum disease it could be even harder to control your blood sugar levels. That鈥檚 because germs from the infected gums get into your bloodstream after brushing teeth or chewing. Those germs cause your body鈥檚 defenses to kick into high gear and that can lead to higher blood sugar levels. That means brushing and flossing regularly are even more important to keep you healthy.
Bad joints
No bones about it, how you take care of your mouth impacts the way you move and groove. Arthritis probably isn鈥檛 even on your radar, but you know it鈥檚 something your parents or grandparents probably have to deal with. A study in the suggests bacteria from your mouth heads straight to your joints. Having bacteria like this in your joints can actually make arthritis worse!
Cardiovascular disease
Do you 鈥渉eart鈥� having a healthy smile? Well your heart loves it too! A study in the showed people with periodontal disease have a 25 percent greater risk of having heart disease. Research suggests heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke could be linked to the inflammation and infections oral bacteria can cause.
Pregnancy problems
How can your teeth impact your baby before he鈥檚 even born? A study in found women who develop gum disease while they鈥檙e pregnant are four to seven times more likely to have their baby early. Premature birth isn鈥檛 good for anyone, so if you鈥檙e pregnant or hoping to start a family soon, make sure you monitor your oral health. So how can you make sure you鈥檙e protecting your overall health through your oral health? Make sure you鈥檙e brushing your teeth twice a day. Also, floss every day. Having regular dental appointments is important too. Trust us鈥aking care of that beautiful smile will pay off big time!
