If you thought that brushing and flossing daily only benefits those pearly whites then think again. Keeping an eye on your dental and oral health also helps other parts of your body stay fighting fit. Here’s how.
Your brain
According to a study conducted at the College of Dentistry at the University of Florida, oral bacteria from poor dental hygiene may be linked to brain tissue degeneration similar to the kind found in Alzheimer’s patients.
Your heart
Experts continue to debate the link between heart health and gum disease. While there are plausible reasons to suggest that gum disease is a risk factor for coronary artery disease, more research is needed in this area.
Your neck
A study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention suggests that gum disease may increase the risk of head and neck cancer. The research found that patients with head and neck cancers are more likely to have chronic periodontitis, an advanced gum disease that results in loss of bone and soft tissue around the teeth.
Your pregnancy
Pregnant women with periodontal disease have an higher risk of delivering pre-term or low-birth-weight babies, according to research conducted by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP).
Your joints
Research conducted for the European Congress of Rheumatology found an association between tooth loss and gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis. The researchers found that the more teeth were lost, the greater the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
Your body
Researchers at Imperial College London found that gum disease is linked to a higher risk of developing lung, kidney, pancreatic and blood cancers. According to their research, people with a history of gum disease have a 14% higher risk of cancer than those with no history of gum disease.
Ensure you have the right tools to keep your teeth healthy
Make use of the convenience of online shopping for your dental hygiene essentials!
Try these featured Products:
Oral-B Trizone 500 Rechargeable Power Toothbrush
Clicks Battery-Operated Toothbrush
Philips Sonicare PowerUp Rechargeable Toothbrush
IMAGE CREDIT: 123rf.com