The importance of taking care of the teeth can’t be overstated. Unfortunately, this is often neglected. Many people only realize this when they start to experience the ripple effect of their oral problem/s on their health, self-esteem, and overall quality of life. If you’ve been feeling a little complacent about taking care of your teeth, here are a few facts that will motivate you to get back on track.
Risk of Cardiovascular and other Health Problems
There is an important connection between your oral health and your cardiovascular health. Studies link oral problems to cardiovascular disease: bacteria buildup in the gums and teeth can travel into the bloodstream and reach the heart valves. This condition, which is referred to as bacterial endocarditis, can cause heart valve damage, heart attack, stroke, and abscesses in the heart.
Other health problems linked to poor oral health include:
- Lung infections
- Coronary artery disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Pregnancy complications
When you take care of your teeth, you also take care of your overall health. It helps to regularly meet with your dentist for oral prophylaxis and detect problems in your teeth and mouth and halt their progression before they lead to potentially serious health complications.
Diminished Quality of Life
Taking care of your teeth can help you prevent tooth decay and gum diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontitis. The latter causes teeth to loosen and fall out.
People with missing teeth can experience bite misalignment and find it difficult to chew and speak words clearly. Also, the structure of their mouth changes to compensate for the lost teeth. As a result, the extra room from the lost teeth will cause the remaining teeth to shift and move out of alignment.
Studies on psychological and social issues associated with tooth loss show that people with missing teeth struggle with feelings of insecurity and self-confidence issues, which have pervaded other aspects of their lives. According to another study on the psychological effects of tooth loss, 86 percent of the subjects reported feeling awkward in social situations, so they avoid such interactions.
Shortened Life Expectancy
As stated above, oral problems increase a person’s risk of developing cancer, heart diseases, and other life-threatening diseases, which may lead to premature death. This is a stark reminder of the importance of proper oral hygiene.
Dental Care in St. Paul, MN
At Hagerman Dental Care, Dr. Steven Hagerman takes pride in his unsurpassed commitment to delivering comprehensive, high-quality dental care in the most comfortable way possible, enabling our patients to look forward to each of their visits with us.
We use CariVu by Dexis, a patented diagnostic tool that uses near-infrared technology, which allows for the early detection of the subtlest problems in your teeth. This helps Dr. Hagerman provide prompt treatment before they wreak havoc on your oral health.
To learn more about our dental services or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Steven Hagerman, call our dental clinic at (651) 646-2392 or request an appointment online. We look forward to helping you take care of your teeth and your overall health!