Do you ever wonder how caring for your teeth could help your body stay healthy? If you don’t care for your teeth well, you could have gum disease, which can allow bad bacteria into your bloodstream, where it can spread to other parts of your body and cause more serious issues. Unfortunately, this bacteria can lead to a number of serious problems—including lung disease, heart disease, and potentially gum disease.
As you probably know, plaque can lead to gum disease. However, did you know that plaque can also clog your arteries? Similarly, plaque can harden into tartar, which can lead to a number of serious issues. Unfortunately, plaque can also harden inside your arteries, which makes your heart work harder to spread gum through your body–increasing your chances of heart disease.
Unfortunately, bacteria from plaque have also been found in the brain. Some claim that this can actually lead to serious cognitive diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. In fact, it has been noted that gum disease can actually make this cognitive disease worse.
Finally, upper respiratory problems, such as pneumonia and the common cold, are much more common in individuals with lackluster oral health. Many dentists believe that this issue is a result of this bad bacteria entering the lungs simply from breathing.
Fortunately, you can prevent a number of issues simply by brushing, flossing, and visiting our dentists, Drs. McMurray and Williams, once every six months. We’ll be happy to examine your mouth and offer you any advice you need. To learn more, please feel free to contact Legacy Smiles Family Dental at 208-888-3311 . We’re eager to hear from you!