Regular brushing and dentist check-ups are important for your teeth. But a missed dentist’s appointment could put you at risk of developing dementia, heart disease, and even cancer.
Why? Good dental health indicates good general health. If you want some advice on finding the best dentist in your area, try the Near Me Dentists website. It’s important to attend regular dental check-ups or you could be at risk of developing the following diseases:
1. Dementia
As a patient’s mental state deteriorates due to dementia, then they can forget to follow their daily dental routine. Consequently, their oral health deteriorates as well, according to the British Dental Health Foundation.
If you or a loved one do not follow a regular dental routine then this could accelerate, or potentially cause, dementia. Research of more than 5,000 elderly people found that those brushing their teeth less than once a day were between 22 and 65 percent more likely to develop dementia than those that brushed three times a day. Possibly because bacteria builds up in the gums, causing an infection and the brain to become inflamed.
2. Heart Disease
There are a surprising number of links between your dental health and the state of your heart. Again, this is because of the bacteria that builds up in your mouth, which could travel to your heart and cause coronary artery disease. A Swedish study found a “significant association” between bleeding gums, the presence of dentures, gum inflammation and heart disease.
3. Diabetes
Diabetics have a higher risk than normal of periodontal diseases, which are infections of the gum and bones holding your teeth in place. This is due to the difficulties many diabetics face controlling blood sugar levels. So if you suffer from bleeding gums, loose teeth or inflamed gums, go and see your dentist.
4. Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis (or a weakening of the bones) may not cause a change in your teeth, but the bones supporting your teeth may change. A dentist can identify these changes if they find loose teeth, tooth loss, bone loss, badly fitting dentures due to bone loss, or receding gum lines.
5. Anorexia and Bulimia
Eating disorders are difficult to diagnose as sufferers usually try to hide their condition from medical professionals. The poor nutrition associated with such conditions can lead to bleeding gums and a dry mouth, or the erosion of the enamel and increased sensitivity if the sufferer is vomiting and exposing their teeth to stomach acid.
6. Reflux
Reflux, otherwise known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), usually happens at night when stomach juices enter your mouth.
You may not even be aware that you are suffering from GERD, but a dentist will be able to detect the effects on your teeth from the erosion of enamel on the insides of your teeth. There are also serious consequences if reflux is not detected, such as the erosion of your esophagus and, potentially, esophagus cancer.
