When we think of chronic diseases like cardiovascular complications, diabetes, thyroid disorders, etc., we think of complexities related to one’s lifestyle, eating habits, etc. We seldom think that our oral health has something to do with the process.
However, consulting professionals from Kelowna dentist will make you realize that there is an unsung connection between oral health and chronic diseases that we don’t pay attention to. If you have been curious to find out what, we have some insights to share.
In this guide, we will discuss more about the direct connection between oral health and chronic diseases that most people aren’t aware of.
Learning about the oral-systemic link
Oral health has direct manifestations in how our body functions. When it comes to explaining the oral-systemic link, it means that there are direct connections between oral health complications and how they impact one’s overall physiological well-being. For example, chronic inflammation in the gums due to an infection can result in the infection spreading to other parts of the body, leading to widespread complexity.
Cardiovascular disease
When talking about chronic diseases, one group that is often highlighted is the cardiovascular diseases. There is growing evidence that depicts direct connections between the two. For example, people who have periodontitis have also been found to show direct and heightened risks of heart disease and complications. Also, infections and plaque formation can elevate the risks of atherosclerosis.
Diabetes
Next on the list of chronic diseases that are connected to one’s oral health is diabetes. Since diabetes patients have impaired immune function, it directly makes them more susceptible to the risks of gum disease and makes them vulnerable to infections. In hindsight, it works the other way too. This means that poor oral health can worsen blood sugar control, further exacerbating the diabetes symptoms.
Respiratory complications
Chronic diseases related to the lungs and the respiratory system like COPD and pneumonia can be worsened with conditions like bacterial infection in the oral cavity. If you often suffer from such complexities and do not treat the condition, chances are that you need to prioritize them and seek medical interventions before they take a turn for the worse.
Neurological disorders
A connection between nerve disorders and poor oral health doesn’t necessarily make sense but they somehow do happen. There is emerging research that depicts a connection between Alzheimer’s disease and poor oral health that you need to pay attention to. There needs to be more studies to get a better idea of things but preliminary research seem promising.
With so much evidence that we have surrounding the connection between oral health and chronic diseases, it makes sense that people are still trying to figure out how to make sense of things. If you suspect that something is wrong, consulting your dentist seems like a smart move.