A week and compromised oral health affect more than just teeth; it can have devastating effects on your overall wellbeing as well. Many dental diseases also affect your body and pose a risk to it.
Various studies and research have been conducted in the past, showing a link between dental emergencies and systemic diseases such as diabetes and heart diseases. This makes maintaining good oral hygiene even more important. Many diseases start from the mouth and then progress to infect the entire body. Let’s look at how these dental emergencies and illnesses pose a risk to overall wellbeing.
Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is a dental emergency. It can cause excruciating pain, which can even involve the jaw, front of the ear and the neck. A dental abscess is a bacterial disease. The bacteria enter the tooth through cavities and infects the dental pulp. This infection progresses to involve the root of the tooth. If not treated at an early stage, a dental abscess can worsen and even be life-threatening.
The abscess can enlarge in size, and the swelling can extend to the neck and face. This leads to an intense localised infection which has to be drained swiftly; otherwise, it can cause complete blockage of the windpipe leading to breathing difficulties. The bacteria from the dental abscess goes down to affect the jawbone, causing its infection – osteomyelitis. These bacteria can also find a way to reach the major blood vessels. Once they are in the bloodstream, it leads to a generalise immune response, and the body goes into sepsis.
Sepsis is a complex condition to treat, and mortality is also high. This is how an untreated dental emergency like a dental abscess poses a risk to your body and may even lead to death.
Gum Diseases and Diabetes
Gum diseases have been linked very strongly with diabetes and heart conditions. Gum diseases such as periodontitis compromise the teeth, the jawbone as well as the whole body. It also lowers immunity, thus putting a significant dent in the body’s fighting ability.
Gum diseases have been shown to affect the blood glucose levels of people who suffer from diabetes. Poor oral health and severe untreated gum diseases negatively affect the blood glucose levels of the body. This reduces the body’s ability to fight infections successfully. Periodontal diseases can also derange the way our body metabolises carbohydrates and negatively impacts how our body produces energy.
Bacteria that cause gum diseases in patients suffering from diabetes can increase insulin resistance, directly influencing blood sugar control. Practising good oral hygiene combined with fast diagnosis and treatment of dental conditions can prevent these complications.
Gum Diseases and Heart Conditions
Gum diseases like periodontitis and poor oral hygiene have been linked with heart diseases. The bacteria which cause periodontal diseases can enter the bloodstream through the gums. Once the bacteria enter the bloodstreams, they can travel through the major arteries and reach the heart, where it can cause infections such as endocarditis. It can also cause a build-up of plaque in the arteries and block the free flow of blood to the heart and other parts of the body.
It is shown that people with severe and untreated periodontal diseases are at a higher risk of heart attacks and cardiac infections such as endocarditis. Endocarditis is an infective heart condition that causes the inner lining of the heart to become inflamed. Suitable oral hygiene methods combined with proper dental treatments can help you keep such diseases at bay.
Dental Diseases and Lung Infections
Bacteria from dental caries, dental abscesses, and gum diseases can easily travel to the lungs. This puts the body at a greater risk of contracting infective lung diseases. Even the Covid-19 virus is known to create a harbour in the plaque, accumulating on the teeth and gums. This travels to the bloodstream and affects the lungs. Now you have even more reasons to brush and floss properly and not miss your dental appointments.
Dental Diseases and Arthritis
Dental diseases such as gum diseases put you in a state of chronic inflammation. This contributes to the inflammation of arthritis and even worsen the disease progression.
Dental Emergencies and Its Effect On The Brain
Gum diseases are also linked with cerebral conditions like dementia and stroke. These diseases can be aggravated by bacteria which causes gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis.
This is how dental emergencies and various dental disease affect the body and puts it at risk. Addressing oral health issues promptly and practising good oral hygiene can prevent such diseases and ensure that you are happy and healthy.