According to the Canadian Dental Association, “Canada is among the world leaders when it comes to the overall oral health of its citizens.” We have one of the best access to dental care in the world. About 75% of Canadians visit their dentist at least once per year. Also over 80% of Canadians believe they have good or excellent oral health. What’s more, as Canadians we are extremely fortunate that we do not need to wait for a significant amount of time to visit our dentist to receive treatment. And due to the number of qualified and experienced dentists near us, we have the opportunity to choose the dentist that best suits our needs. That’s great news since oral health affects not only the condition of your mouth and smile but also your overall health and quality of life.
Signs of Poor Oral Health
Poor oral health can result in a number of symptoms or issues which may need to be addressed immediately before they compromise your general health. Some of the most common signs can include:
- Bleeding gums when brushing your teeth
- Swelling of your gums
- Gum recession (wearing away of gumline) and exposure of the roots of teeth
- Lesions or growths on the gums or in the oral cavity
- Toothaches
- Cavities
- Excessive tartar buildup and yellowing of your teeth
- Changes in the texture or colour of your tongue
Why You Need to Protect Your Oral Health
Obviously, you need good oral health and must ensure that you take good care of your teeth and gums. If you have poor oral health, harmful bacteria from our teeth and gums can affect your overall health.
Some Significant Health Issues Due to Poor Oral Health
Cardiovascular Disease / Risk of Stroke / Endocarditis
According to Harvard Medical School, if you have gum disease, you may have two to three times the risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or other serious cardiovascular events. This could be due to chronic inflammation which can cause atherosclerosis.
Additionally, disease-causing bacteria from your mouth can clog your carotid artery. This artery transports blood to your brain and head, so by clogging it, you could increase the risk of having a stroke.
Endocarditis is another health issue that could result from poor oral health. Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of your heart chambers or valves. Bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream when you have bleeding gums because of periodontal disease. As bacteria move in your bloodstream they can reach your heart where they can cause endocarditis.
Diabetic Complications
Individuals with diabetes can be at risk of increased complications due to gum / periodontal disease. This is because periodontal disease can make blood sugar levels more difficult to control. At the same time since diabetics are more susceptible to infections and therefore have a higher chance of developing gum disease. As a result, it is vital that if you have diabetes, you should try to maintain good oral health.
Respiratory Problems
As we have mentioned, bacteria from your mouth can enter your bloodstream if you have gum disease. Another place the bacteria can travel is to your lungs where it can result in respiratory problems. For example, it can cause infections that can result in pneumonia, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Alzheimer’s Disease / Dementia
Gum disease and bleeding gums provide bacteria in your mouth to enter your bloodstream and spread. The bacteria can cause infections that damage the nerves and blood vessels, which connect directly to the brain. A study found that individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, who also had gum disease, experienced a decline in memory ability six times faster than those who did not have gum disease.
How to Maintain Good Oral Health
You learned at an early age that you need to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day to keep your teeth and gums healthy. You also know that you need to try to avoid sugary and starchy snacks including highly acidic foods like oranges which can damage tooth enamel. And, naturally, you should visit your dentists and dental hygienist at least twice a year for a dental check-up and dental cleaning.
Book Your Regular Check-Ups and Dental Cleanings
As part of maintaining good oral health and oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups and cleanings are essential for everyone. Regular dental exams and cleanings, once every six months help protect your health and reduce your risks of systemic diseases. Consulting your dentist at My Dentist at Morgan Creek in South Surrey will help you maintain your oral health.
Our dentists are genuinely concerned about every patient’s dental health and well-being. This makes them one of the favorite dentists for many in South Surrey and White Rock, BC. Call us at 604-542-0123 or contact us online to book your appointment today!
