A lot of consumers mistakenly believe that good oral health is only about preventing bad breath. This is definitely one problem that can be caused by failing to properly maintain your teeth and gums, but the repercussions of poor oral health can be far more severe than you might imagine. In fact, neglecting your oral health can eventually take a toll on your overall health and wellbeing. Within this guide, you will learn more about the incredible importance of good oral health.

Development Of Gum Disease

First and foremost, you should realize that insufficient maintenance of your teeth and gums can lead to gum disease. This is nothing more than the inflammation of the gums. If the problem worsens, it may eventually take a toll on the bones that actually support the teeth. When the sticky plaque is left unremoved, it can contribute to infections. With this in mind, it is pertinent to brush and floss your teeth each and every day. Gum disease is simply a step in the wrong direction and it is a slippery slope after that point.

Lost Teeth

As mentioned above, gum disease can cause the bones that support the teeth to weaken. If gum disease is left untreated, it can eventually lead to the loss of teeth. Losing your teeth at a young age can have a devastating impact on your mental and physical health. Everyone wants to be able to flash a beautiful, white smile. So, the loss of teeth early in your life can cause your self-esteem to plummet. If you suspect that you’re suffering from gum disease, it is pertinent to visit a local dentist in Sunnyvale, CA as soon as possible.

Risk Of Respiratory Disease

A lot of people do not realize that poor oral health can impact the rest of their body. In fact, gum disease can actually increase the risk of respiratory disease. The bacteria found inside of the mouth can easily pass through to the lungs. This may eventually cause infection. Alternatively, it could inflame pre-existing lung conditions. If you’re having trouble breathing, the problem could stem from improper maintenance of the teeth and gums.

Diabetes

On the flipside, it should be known that diabetes is often a major contributor to gum disease. In general, people that suffer from diabetes will be much more likely to contract this disease. And of course, the gum disease can increase the patient’s chances of suffering from further diabetic complications. With this in mind, diabetes patients should take extra steps to ensure their teeth and gums remain in great condition.

Pregnancy And Poor Oral Health

Over the years, numerous studies have been carried out regarding the impacts of poor oral health on pregnant women. It is believed by many experts that poor oral health can increase the risk of delivering pre-term and low weight babies. This is enormously dangerous, since pre-term babies have a much higher risk of developing serious illnesses, such as asthma, birth abnormalities, ear infections, and even behavioral problems. Again, taking care of your teeth and gums needs to be a top priority for everyone!