4 Things You Should Know About Poor Dental Care and Overall Health

Did you know that poor dental care can lead to more serious health problems and medical conditions?

A Harris Interactive poll of 1,000 people over age 35 found that 60 percent of adults knew little, if anything, about gum disease, the symptoms, available treatments and consequences.

Even worse than not knowing how much dental care and oral health can impact your overall health is the fact that gum disease (both gingivitis and periodontal disease) can lead to serious medical problems that would max out both your health and dental insurance.

In recent years, studies by researchers at medical and dental organizations have brought more awareness about poor dental care and its relationship to your health and well-being. Here are 4 things you should know:

1. Heart Disease – According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease is the number one cause of death in America. In 2011, the American Heart Association published two studies which revealed that dental patients who had an annual, professional teeth cleaning had a decrease in the incidence of heart attacks and stroke.

2. Preterm Birth – Premature birth (babies born before 37 weeks) is the leading cause of infant death and a major cause of lifelong disability. According to research, women suffering from periodontal disease are three to five times more likely to have a preterm birth.

3. Diabetes – Because diabetics face an inadequate amount of controlled blood sugars, they have a much higher risk of oral health problems, such as dry mouth, gum inflammation and poor healing of oral tissues. In addition, smokers with Diabetes are more likely than non-smokers to develop Periodontal Disease.

4. Breast Cancer – In 2011, the British Dental Health Foundation released a first-of-its-kind report which studied the potential link of breast cancer and oral health. The study revealed that women with gum disease are 11 times more likely to develop breast cancer.

For more information about the health risk factors associated with poor dental care, you can click the image to view the “Dental Care and Your Health” infographic from DentalPlans.com.

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