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Three Health Conditions that Are Surprisingly Linked to Oral Health

May 21, 2023
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The mouth is the entryway to the body. When you do not follow proper dental hygiene, not only are you more susceptible to oral health issues but also other infections and diseases. In reverse, an experienced dentist can spot signs of other underlying diseases by taking a look at your teeth.

Your dentist will be able to detect and give you early warning of them when you go in for a routine dental cleaning and filling. Surprised? Here are three health conditions that are surprisingly linked to oral health.

 

Alzheimer’s Disease

Studies show that elders with gum disease and oral infections are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s. There is also an indication that bacteria that cause the oral condition called gingivitis may be linked to Alzheimer’s. This bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis, can make its way to the brain, where it destroys nerve cells.

Since this destructive cycle begins with gingivitis, the simplest way to avert this is by following stringent oral care routines. Equally important are regular dental appointments where the dentist gets a chance to examine your mouth thoroughly. Do not postpone gum disease treatment at any cost because rampant infections can affect your brain. Many individuals only go to the dentist once they absolutely have to. Fear is one factor. However, suppose you are proactive concerning your dental health. In that case, you’ll avoid pain and further oral health issues.

Infertility and Erectile Dysfunction

Periodontal disease is an oral infection where bacteria builds up in pockets between the gums and teeth. When left unchecked without proper gum disease treatment, this bacteria spreads to the rest of the body and into the bloodstream. If the infection is so severe that blood vessels are inflamed, this can affect the man’s ability to experience and sustain an erection. Such erectile infection is a common cause of infertility. In women, too, poor oral health can lead to fertility issues. Studies show that periodontal disease extends women’s conception time (TTC).

Going in for regular dental cleaning and filling, maintaining good oral care routines, and regularly visiting your dentist may help you enjoy pregnancy in the best possible way.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Another condition associated with advanced age, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is also associated with periodontal disease. Research shows a link between the two – those with such severe oral infection had higher quantities of certain bacteria in the blood. This bacteria carried citrullinated proteins that set off a cycle of events in the body, which worsened RA.

The reverse is also significant. Those with RA fail to carry out dental hygiene properly because the condition restricts their movements. This makes them prone to oral health issues like gum disease that can compromise their dental and overall health. Timely intervention in the form of gum disease treatment can help avert these problems.

 

To summarise, going to your dentist for regular checkups and getting dental cleaning and filling done on time is essential. These simple things can help avert diseases that are not commonly known to be linked to oral health. Most importantly, you must avoid dental infections, as periodontal bacterial infections can harm you drastically. Regular dental checkups are critical to overall health, not just healthy teeth and gums.

Ready when you are

Lamine Diallo
Lamine Diallo
02:21 15 Jun 22
My family and I have been receiving care from Dr. Ashraf and his amazing team since we first moved to Waterloo in 2002. His assessment skills are spot on, he is gentle and is very skilled at working with anxious\nervous patients. My dental hygienist is Lin who is very knowledgeable, and passionate about her work. She is amazingly gentle yet very,very thorough when it comes to preventative dental care. She is didactic as well, taking the time to teach patients how to use certain equipment as well as addressing gingivitis in pro-active ways. We are in very capable hands.
Trisa Kapetaneas
Trisa Kapetaneas
18:12 01 Jun 22
I have been a patient here for over 2 years now and I've always enjoyed the experience. The staff are professional and have always made me feel comfortable. I recently had a cleaning done by Lynn for the first time and she was amazing! Will continue to visit for my checkups/cleanings.
Aamir Mirza
Aamir Mirza
14:54 03 May 22
Dr. Ashraf and his team is amazing. All work done under one umbrella for entire family. We all are very happy to be under the care for the last 20 plus years. Lin, dental hygienist is remarkable professional. She knows her job so well that I look forward to my cleaning every time I'm scheduled. Thank you Lin for your amazing work for my entire family!
Alena Delena
Alena Delena
14:50 02 May 22
My family loves Dr Ashraf. We've been through many dentists in many cities and he's by far our favourite one. He's always thorough and professional. His referrals are also of equal high caliber. I went to him for a root canal and a crown. I had many concerns and he addressed them all personally. He even went so far as to redo a root canal for me. Recommend.
Nicole Wood
Nicole Wood
15:31 28 Apr 22
I found Ashraf Dentistry a year ago and I absolutely love their dental clinic. Everyone is very kind and thorough. Lin is the best dental hygienist I've ever had! She takes the time to ensure I receive the care I need. Both dentists I've seen have also been very kind and wonderful at making me feel like my teeth are being taken care of. Highly recommend!
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