We know that a majority of people do not really care about their oral health and visiting a dentist regularly or getting a cleaning routinely is something that is not prioritised- but it should be, because your dental health affects your overall health. You have probably heard this before but what is happening in your mouth plays a very big role in your systemic health. 

Your mouth houses not just your teeth, gums and other oral structures but also a wide array of bacteria. These bacteria are capable of causing all sorts of diseases in your oral cavity and hence can alter the course of systemic illnesses. Think about it- you are eating, drinking and swallowing everyday- this touches the bacteria in your mouth and goes straight into your body. In other words- your mouth is the gateway to your body. 

We want to shed some light on some of the conditions that can get worse if you do not take care of your teeth and gums. This will give you an idea of the many issues you can avoid by just taking care of your oral health-

1. Cardiovascular conditions- There have been numerous studies which have proved the direct link between heart disease and poor gum / periodontal health. This is primarily due to the bacteria involved in gum disease which enters the bloodstream and leads to cardiovascular issues.

2. Diabetes related issues- Gum disease, which is so common in India, when not controlled can cause those with Diabetes to experience more complications such as tooth loss, kidney issues, eye issues etc. It is also no wonder that we as a country some of the highest prevalence of Diabetes in the world. It is very common for a Dentist to be the first to advice you to get your blood sugar level checked just by noticing changes in your gums and bone level- such is the interlinking between the two.

3. Respiratory complications- According to The American Academy of Periodontology- there is a strong co-relation between gum disease and respiratory infections such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Pneumonia. Both of these come with their own nasty set of symptoms and complications.

The above issues were just some of the myriad of associations between poor oral health and systemic complications. You are not wrong in imagining that diseases in your mouth have the potential to cause bigger issues or complicate the ones you are already experiencing. We hope that this small list was eye opening enough for you to take a harder look at your health priorities and make changes in how you take care of your mouth and dental health. 

You should first start by making sure that you are seeing your dentist on a regular basis and not just when pain/ sensitivity/ discomfort occurs or increases.