Vary rarely does a major physical upset come out of the blue. Usually our body will give us warning signs and the warning signs might not always be in the areas we expect. This is because the human body is a complex and high powered machine that is made up of dozens of interrelated parts. So when there’s a problem in one area it often has a knock on effect on other parts of the body.
Nowhere is this more obvious than in the connection between one’s general health and one’s oral health. Most often it comes down to simple infections, and how easily they can spread from one location to another. It’s not surprising when you consider that the human body is replete with microbial bacteria, viruses and fungi. These microbes can be good or bad (for example, the good kind helps us to digest food and strengthens our immune system). Only in rare cases do these microbes develop into full blown infections that can negatively impact your health.
As scientific research advances, doctors and researchers are increasingly finding links between poor oral health and negative outcomes for vulnerable members of society (such as pregnant women and those suffering from Type 2 Diabetes) and even those of us that are healthy. The most recent research has shown that poor oral health can actually lead to cardiovascular disease, stomach ulcers, pneumonia, stroke and rheumatoid arthritis.
And even if you consider yourself fitter and healthier than most people, you aren’t immune. Researchers tested over 300 athletes who participated in the Olympic Games and found that the majority of them had some form of periodontal disease which if left unchecked could affect their health, performance and career.
With such terrifying consequences you might assume that great oral health requires costly and complicated interventions, but you would be wrong. All that you need to do is to make regular visits to your dentist and follow the oral healthcare regime they have prescribed for you. It’s a habit that if you put in place now will have a positive effect on your health for years to come.
