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When you brush and floss diligently, you’re not just protecting your teeth, tongue, and gums. In addition to contributing to a luminous smile, practicing good oral hygiene habits can improve your overall health. If you’re ever tempted to skip flossing or postpone a teeth cleaning, here’s what you should know about the link between dental care and general health and wellness. 

Issues Caused by Poor Oral Health

Research indicates poor oral health can cause or at least exacerbate all kinds of conditions. For example, because the mouth is incredibly vascular, inflammation or infection of the gums can spread fairly easily throughout the rest of the cardiovascular system. As such, poor oral health contributes to both endocarditis and heart disease. And because the mouth is part of the respiratory system, bacteria can make its way to the lungs, too, which explains the link between poor oral health and pneumonia. 

Issues That Cause Poor Oral Health 

dental careThe link between oral health and overall health goes both ways. In other words, certain conditions can make you more vulnerable to dental issues like decay and periodontitis. For example, people with diabetes are at a higher risk of gum disease. If blood sugar is left unchecked, saliva can develop higher than normal glucose levels, which creates the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. Osteoporosis can cause dental problems, as well, including periodontal bone loss and tooth loss. 

Pregnancy can also make it hard to maintain a healthy mouth. Hormonal changes increase blood flow throughout the body, including to the gum tissue. This, in turn, makes the gums inflamed, swollen, and more vulnerable to infection. While pregnancy gingivitis usually goes away on its own after labor and delivery, it can cause additional complications if left untreated. 

 

For quality dental care that will improve your overall health, turn to Ronald W. Ristow, D.D.S., L.L.C. Located in Oconto County, WI, this full-service dental practice is equipped to provide comprehensive care for patients of all ages. Backed by more than 20 years of experience, this clinic performs general, preventive, and cosmetic procedures on site. Text JOIN to (920) 249-5938 for more dental tips, and then visit their website or call (920) 846-3163 to make an appointment.

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