Daily Deals from a Nerd Mom

Your oral health contributes a lot more to your overall health and well-being than you might think. Looking after your teeth and gums should always be part of your routine when it comes to your health and if you’re not taking care of it, then it can lead to problems.

Here are five surprising ways that your oral health impacts your overall well-being.

1. Increased risk of heart disease

There have been numerous studies that have been conducted when it comes to health and the links between poor oral hygiene and atttention to your mouth in general.

Studies have shown that a lot of inflammation from gum disease can end up entering the bloodstream and as a result, cause inflammation in the arteries. That can lead to dangerous situations like heart attacks and strokes.

While it might not be the case for everyone, it’s certainly a contributor to be mindful of.

2. Impact on mental health and self-esteem

When you don’t have the best appearance thanks to your teeth and gums, you may find yourself becoming more conscious about your appearance. From missing teeth to bad breath, this can all contribute to lower self-esteem and in some cases social anxiety or depression.

By having a healthy smile, it can do wonders for your mental health, which is certainly something that you want resolve if it’s linked to your oral care. Where you might be conscious of your appearance, dental implants and other cosmetic approaches might be helpful to bring back that confidence in your smile.

3. A possible link to respiratory infections

There is a possible link to respiratory infections when it comes to poor hygiene within your mouth.

Bacteria can often come from the mouth, be inhaled into the lungs and that can lead to potential respiratory infections like pneumonia. Of course, there are often other factors that contribute to this but it’s definitely something to think about.

4. Connective to cognitive health

There’s some evidence in existence that suggests a link between oral health and cognitive decline. Again, while it might not be the overall contributing factor and by no means the only one, it’s always good to prevent any chance of such health problems affecting your quality of life.

Research has indicated that inflammation from gum disease, may contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease for example.

5. Potential complications during a pregnancy

Finally, and perhaps one that can often be the most concerning, is the potential complications that can come from poor oral hygiene when pregnnat.

Pregnant women are at a high risk of complications like low birth weight and premature birth when they have gum disease. That’s why it’s important that you’re taking care of your teeth so that it looks after your unborn baby at the same time.

Your oral health is important to your overall wellbeing so make sure to look at how you could improve your own health when it comes to your teeth and gums. Follow this advice and make sure to book in soon with your dentist or hygienist.

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