Your mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria. Even if you brush and floss every day, there’s still a chance that you can develop gum disease. Do your gums bleed when you brush? This is a significant indication of an overgrowth of bacteria in your mouth. Did you know there’s a direct link between poor oral hygiene and your overall well-being? It can cause serious issues, and here are six ways it can negatively affect you.

1. Diabetes

Oral hygiene is a significant issue for those with diabetes, and many find that controlling your glucose levels when your oral health is poor is troublesome. Did you know that folks with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of developing periodontal disease?

2. Respiratory Infections

You know your breath won’t smell the best with poor oral health, but did you know it can affect your breathing too? When you develop gum disease, it increases the chances of you developing respiratory infections.

During cold and flu season, you’re more susceptible to pneumonia. Additionally, conditions like COPD can occur without smoking.

The bacterium in your mouth likes to travel, which can get deep into your airways and cause inflammation. Once it lodges in this area, keeping the inflammatory condition under control is challenging. Living with COPD is very difficult as it forces you to have labored breathing and a constant cough. Most people end up living on oxygen with this condition.

3. Heart Disease

Studies show that poor oral hygiene is two times more likely to develop a severe condition called coronary artery disease. When your mouth has harmful bacteria, the bacterium makes its way to your bloodstream.

These toxins cause inflammation and more than double the risk of you developing a blood clot. Specialists agree that brushing at least two times a day, if not more, helps to reduce the risk as it flushes more bacteria from your system. Brushing after every meal is advisable, as this is when your bacteria levels are at their highest. Many find that singing a small song helps them to get in the recommended two minutes of brushing. It’s also important to visit the dentist on a regular basis. You can find the nearest dentist in Cary, NC, or any in your surrounding area.

4. Chronic Oral Issues

The University of Toronto conducted a stay to identify the horrific oral issues that can occur without brushing. The results were staggering. The bacteria corrode the dentin and cause decay.

This means the person is more susceptible to tooth loss, root canals, crowns, and other expensive procedures. Other problems like oral lesions are also commonplace. The smell that radiates from a rotten tooth is quite overwhelming. Additionally, many find the pain as intense as childbirth, and few over-the-counter pain relievers can touch such discomfort.

5. Autoimmune Diseases

Do you take medications for an autoimmune condition? Many drugs cause you to experience dry mouth as they reduce your saliva. When you have chronic dry mouth, it’s challenging for your body to flush the bacteria from your oral cavity.

Even some over-the-counter medications can cause dry mouth. If you experience this common problem, it’s important to talk to a professional dentist about the issue. You can take some medications to help rehydrate the mouth and protect the teeth, but they are prescription products. Even something as simple as chewing sugar-free gum can be beneficial, as it helps encourage saliva production.

6. Memory

Who would fathom that lackluster dental habits could cause dementia or Alzheimer’s? Sadly, experts believe there’s a direct connection between the two. Now, that doesn’t mean that everyone with this condition can be linked with their oral health, but there’s a chance there’s a link.

The oral bacteria spread like wildfire through your body, and it follows the pathway of the cranial nerves to your brain. It builds up and causes plaque deposits in the brain, which is one of the significant contributors to this mind-altering condition.

Closing Thoughts

It takes brushing, flossing, and mouthwash to keep bacteria levels in an acceptable range. When you brush two or three times a day, you can drastically reduce the chances of bacteria traveling to your bloodstream. You only get one set of teeth to last you through adulthood, so developing a proper brushing routine can help them last.