The link between good oral health and overall health was first made centuries ago in Ancient Greece. Today, both dental organizations and medical organizations continue to provide the public with evidence that there is indeed a strong link between good oral health and a person's overall health. As it turns out, a person's oral health can impact just about every system in their body, including their circulatory, digestive, reproductive and respiratory systems.
Nutritional Concerns
The most obvious impact that poor oral health can have on a person's body is their ability to take in nutrition. When oral health is questionable or poor, it can be painful or difficult to chew and swallow food. This means that people will be resistant to eating the food that is needed to keep their body healthy. Without proper nutrition the body becomes weak and starts to break down, leading to serious diseases and health problems.
Impacts on Your Body
Poor oral health has also been linked to several serious systemic diseases. According to the Pennsylvania Dental Association, periodontitis can be linked to preterm births, bacterial pneumonia, low birth-weights, stroke and cardiovascular disease. Health Canada, a Canadian government health organization, has also published literature on the health risks associated with the bacteria in plaque. When plaque buildups are left untreated, the bacteria in plaque can enter the bloodstream and lead to artery blockage, heart valve damage and lung infections.
The Importance of Good Dental Health
Working to maintain good dental health is one step that you can take to reduce your risks of developing serious health problems. To maintain your oral health, simply brush and floss your teeth twice a day, and visit your dentist twice a year. Your routine dental check-ups will not only help you to manage dental health issues, but they also can help you to spot the early warning signs of diseases like osteoporosis, heart disease and oral cancers.
Author: Eisla Sebastian
© 2008 Associated Content