ORAL HEALTH AFFECTS OVERALL HEALTH

Why It Matters?

  • Gum disease and poor oral health don't just affect your teeth but they can have an impact on your overall health.
  • Problems in your mouth can lead to serious health conditions, like heart disease, diabetes, stroke, pregnancy complications, and respiratory diseases.
  • By taking care of your gums and teeth, you can lower your risk of developing these diseases and improve your overall health.

HEART DISEASE

People with gum diseases are 2 to 3 times more likely to suffer from heart attack or stroke.

Tooth with Heart
Why It Matters?

Harmful gum bacteria can travel into your bloodstream by injuring blood vessels, leading to inflammation and increasing your risk of heart attacks and hypertension.

Oral Connection with Heart
  • ● Sore Gums Send Signals:

    Inflamed gums release substances that travel through your body and put stress on your heart.

  • ● Gum Germs in Your Blood:

    Harmful bacteria from your mouth can sneak into your bloodstream and damage the vessel walls.

  • ● Clogged Arteries:

    Damaged vessels make it easier for fatty deposits to build up, which can block blood flow to your heart.

DIABETES

Poor oral health can increase your risk of Type 2 diabetes by up to 36%.

Diabetes
Why It Matters?

Gum inflammation raises blood sugar levels, and high blood sugar worsens the gum diseases, creating a vicious cycle.

Oral Connection with Heart
  • ● Sore Gums Send Signals:

    Inflamed gums release messengers that make your body less responsive to insulin.

  • ● Gum Germs in Your Liver:

    Bacterial toxins tell your liver to churn out extra sugar.

  • ● Mouth Bugs Upset Your Gut:

    Oral bacteria that reach your gut causes inflammation and leaky gut, which spikes blood sugar.

STROKE

People with gum diseases are 2 to 3 times more likely to suffer from heart attack or stroke.

Stroke
Why It Matters?

Gum bacteria can weaken plaques in your arteries and cause inflammation in blood vessels in brain, raising your stroke risk.

Oral Connection with Heart
  • ● Plaque Weakening:

    Gum bacteria make plaques in your arteries more likely to break open.

  • ● Brain Vessel Problems:

    Bacteria cause blood vessels in your brain to become unhealthy.

  • ● Brain Inflammation:

    Toxins from your gums travel to your brain, causing inflammation.

PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS

Pregnant women with gum diseases* are more than 4 times as likely to experience preterm birth and over 5 times more likely to have a baby with lower birth weight.

Pregnancy Complications
Why It Matters?

Gum diseases can increase the risk of premature birth and lower birth weight.

Oral Connection with Heart
  • ● Inflammation Spread:

    In pregnancy, gum diseases can trigger inflammation that can affect your whole body.

  • ● Preterm Birth Risk:

    Gum infection may increase the risk of early labour.

  • ● Low Birth Weight:

    Poor oral health can affect fetal growth, leading to lower birth weight.

LUNG DISEASE

Gum diseases* can increase your risk of lung cancer by 71%!

Stroke
Why It Matters?

Mouth bacteria can travel to your lungs, leading to respiratory problems and infections.

Oral Connection with Heart
  • ● Bacteria in the Lungs:

    Harmful bacteria from your mouth can travel to your lungs and cause infections like pneumonia.

  • ● Worsened Breathing Conditions:

    Gum diseases can make conditions like COPD worse by increasing inflammation in the lungs.

  • ● Respiratory Infections:

    Infected gums may increase the risk of lung infections and breathing difficulties.