Having a beautiful smiles shouldn’t be the only reason you keep up a good oral health routine. Your teeth not only chew all the food you consume, but they also are an important part in how we speak. Anyone who has ever heard a child speak while missing their two front teeth knows what I mean. While it’s adorable for a child, it loses the appeal on adults.
Some people have a little bit of a dentist phobia, but avoid the dentist can lead to much larger problems in the long run. Even now, we’re still learning more about how overall oral health might affect the rest of your body.
The Usual Suspects
These are the things we normally hear about in commercials, magazines, or even our regular dentist. Not brushing and flossing or visiting the dentist on a regular basis can lead to bad breath, gum disease, cavities, tooth rot and tooth loss.
The less you brush the quicker these things can develop and when left untreated can lead to more serious medical problems, that will require not only more money, but also more and longer trips to the dentist to get them resolved.
Emergencies
When you don’t take proper care of your teeth, you run the risk of doing more damage to your teeth and gums. Even when you do take care of your teeth properly, you can still run the chance of getting into an dental emergency situation says Kennewick Dentist, Loren Anderson.
Bacterial infection, tooth fractures, loosing fillings or a variety of other conditions can occur, which may need immediate care. Most of these conditions typically come with pain or soreness in and around the affected area.
The Real Dangers
Links between poor dental hygiene and other bodily afflictions have been studied for many years. Some are a little less than conclusive, but can still offer valuable insight into how important oral hygiene really is.
A New York University College of Dentistry research study found that, there is evidence to support their theory that gum disease can be linked to cognitive damage, that is associated with Alzheimer’s disease. They looked at 20 years of research and found that older people with gum disease produced lower scores for cognitive function compared to those without gum disease.
A study published in, the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, by the University of Central Lancashire, compared the bacterium in the brains of dementia patients with those who did not. They found that Porphyromonas gingivalis (a type of bacteria related to gum disease), was found in the brains of those affected by Alzheimer’s and not in the healthy brains.
In the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, a study was published that linked gum disease with pan creative cancer for men. They came to the conclusion that, men with a history of gum disease were 64% more likely at risk for pancreatic cancer, than men who did not.
If those dangers weren’t enough, how about type 2 diabetes, strokes, or cardiovascular disease?
Maybe the real motivation you need is a monetary one. If you leave your mouth unchecked and untreated, you will pay from your pocket. When any of the usual conditions associated with poor dental hygiene get too out of control, you may need to have invasive surgery, which are often costly procedures.
Regular check ups
If you have any of the following conditions, you may be developing gum disease and should see a dentist as soon as possible.
- If you have red, tender or swollen gums
- Your gums often bleed easily
- Pus on your gums or between your teeth
- Chronic bad breath
- Hard brown substances on your gum line
- Feel or notice your teeth moving or loosening
While brushing twice a day, flossing and even using mouth wash is the best way to maintain a high level of oral health. You alone can only do so much. Getting professional cleanings on a regular basis, will reach the spots you can’t.
If you haven’t had your regular dental check up and cleaning, you should make an appointment immediately, it might save you a lot of money or your life.