Everyone knows good oral health can improve your smile and your confidence — but did you know it can improve your overall wellness, too? The opposite is also true: Poor oral health increases your risk of serious health problems — but regular preventive care, like twice-yearly cleanings and checkups, can help.
At Harbor Community Health Centers, our team specializes in preventive dental care for patients of all ages, paying special attention to eliminating bacteria, infections, and inflammation that can lead to more serious health problems. Here’s why it’s so important to maintain a regular schedule of dental checkups and professional dental cleanings to eliminate dangerous bacteria buildup that can lead to serious complications.
Sepsis is a serious and even life-threatening condition triggered by an infection somewhere in your body, including your mouth. Untreated cavities or gum disease can lead to abscesses and deep infections filled with pus, bacteria, and debris.
Without proper care, an abscess can become septic, leading to infections in the jawbone or facial structures. Germs can also enter the bloodstream and cause sepsis elsewhere, including the brain and other organs.
Gum disease and cavities lead to inflammation, a major contributor to cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis and heart disease. Plus, bacteria that cause gum disease can enter the bloodstream, travel to the heart, and trigger heart infections or valve disease.
The same effects can lead to strokes and cerebrovascular events that involve the blood vessels carrying oxygen and nutrients to your brain. In fact, recent research found people with gum disease have double the risk of stroke compared to people with healthy gums.
Tooth decay and gum disease involve bacteria in your mouth; every time you inhale, you risk breathing in those germs. When bacteria reach your airways and lungs, they can increase your risk of infections like flu and pneumonia and worsen existing lung conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, and asthma.
Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia affect millions of Americans, causing significant distress and a marked decline in quality of life. Researchers are still learning about the many factors that may contribute to dementia, and data suggest gum disease is one of those factors. While the link is still being explored, researchers believe inflammation once again plays a significant role.
Research has also explored links between poor oral health (notably gum disease) and some types of cancer. One recent study of 150,000 women and men found gum disease was associated with a 52% increase in stomach cancer and a 43% increase in cancer of the esophagus.
Other data have identified potential links between gum disease and lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer.
Oral health problems don’t cause diabetes, but if you have diabetes, cavities and gum disease can be more difficult to manage. Gum disease can also make it harder to control your glucose levels, creating a cycle that’s hard to break without professional intervention, like regular dental cleanings and checkups.
If you’re pregnant, poor oral health can have ramifications for your developing baby, too. Gum disease has been linked with premature births and low birth weight, underscoring the need for good oral health practices prior to and during pregnancy.
Twice-yearly checkups provide essential care for your teeth and gums, improving your smile, your confidence, and your health, all at the same time. During your visit, our dental team carefully cleans your teeth, removing bacteria and fixing minor problems, like tiny cavities or early gum issues, before they cause major problems.
Most visits take about an hour — a small investment for a lifetime of benefits. If you’re overdue for your dental checkup and cleaning, don’t delay: Call 310-547-0202 to schedule an appointment with the Harbor Community Health Centers team at one of our two locations in San Pedro, California, today.
