Your Dental Health Could Be Affecting Your Overall Health
By: NayNay Butler
There is nothing worse than a toothache. We all have experienced tooth pain at one time or another, but tooth pain can sometimes be a symptom of something more serious. If you are having tooth pain, you should always see a dentist because there are many reasons for that pain and some could be serious. When you have bad oral health it can cause heart disease, kidney disease, among other serious illnesses.
Going to the dentist can be very expensive, and a lot of people put visiting the dentist on the back burner when funds are low. It seems like the reasonable thing to do, but ultimately you could be putting your overall health in danger. Did you know that 91% of people with heart disease also have gum disease? The belief among some is that when the mouth has inflammation, it can also cause inflammation in the blood vessels which can possibly lead to heart attacks.
Taking care of your oral health can also help reduce the pain experienced with Rheumatoid Arthritis. The lungs can also be affected by gum disease. If you have COPD or pneumonia, gum disease can increase the complications with these conditions.
People with Diabetes tend to have more severe frequent cases of gum disease because diabetics are more prone to infections. If you are a diabetic with gum disease, your blood sugar levels will be harder to control, and this could lead to serious complications such as nerve damage, kidney damage and could possibly be fatal.
As you can see, neglecting your dental health can cause very serious issues with your overall physical health. There are some things you can do to help to reduce the risk of gum disease.
1. Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
2. Floss daily.
3. Get regular dental checkups and cleanings.
There can be some very inexpensive dental plans. Do your research and you could probably find affordable dental insurance plans. Another option might be to ask your dentist if they have financing. This would allow you to pay a small monthly amount towards your dental bill.
There is definitely a correlation between poor dental health and your overall health. I think that dental insurance should be just as important as medical insurance. Most employers offer dental insurance, but it is more of a discount plan, than actual insurance such as medical insurance. This really needs to be something you make a priority in your life. What is needed is better dental insurance plans that cover more complex procedures, and doesn’t require you to pay so much out of your pocket.
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