YOU might not think that the odd cavity could end up costing you your life.
But, a growing body of research suggests failing to brush your teeth enough or floss properly can lead to a whole range of seemingly unconnected acute and chronic illnesses.
“This is becasuse the mouth is loaded with bacteria”, Dr Nigel Carter, of the Oral Health Foundation, says. “And, while most are harmless, some can cause disease.”
Exactly how oral bacteria affect your overall health is still poorly understood.
But some conditions are more associated with oral health than others, experts say.
Here is what we know so far:
1. Heart disease
IF you suffer from gum disease, you are up to three times more likely to suffer from a heart attack or stroke, several large studies have suggested.
Gum disease, also caused gingervitus, is a widespead issue.
In fact, around eight in 10 over-35s having had some level of the disease that causes bleeding, according to the European Federation of Periodontology.
It happens when bacteria accumilates in and around the gums.
Things can turn for the worst when this bacteria seeps into the bloodstream, causing the arteries to stiffen.
This can leave the heart having to work harder to pump the blood around the body.
Dr Nigel warns: “If the blood flow is badly affected this could also lead to a heart attack.”
2. Pneumonia
JUST minutes after you’ve finished brushing your knashers a sticky film of bacteria, known as plaque, will begin to coat the teeth.
Research has shown that lingering plaque is capable of triggering pneumonia.
This is because the bacteria can breathed in from the teeth and move down into the lungs where it can cause infection.
Symptoms of pneumonia include:
Cough, which may produce greenish, yellow or even bloody mucus
Fever, sweating and shaking chills
Shortness of breath
Rapid, shallow breathing
Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough
Loss of appetite, low energy, and fatigue
3. Diabetes
THIS might seem to be a bit of a weird link.
How can your mouth influence your pancrease?
However, studies have found a direct relationship between diabetes and gum disease.
In fact, gum disease is more likely in people with diabetes and vice versa.
This is because high blood sugar levels – a symtom of poorly controled diabetes – can stimulate an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the mouth.
This bacteria can lead to different types of infections in the mouth, which can induce surges of inflammation in the bloodstream, causing rising blood sugar levels and making the condition harder to manage.
Dr Carter says: “If you have diabetes, it is important gum disease is diagnosed – it can lead to poor blood sugar control, raising the risk of complications.”
Common diabetes symptoms include:
Peeing more than usual
Feeling thirsty all the time
Feeling very tired
Losing weight without trying to
Itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
Cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
Blurred vision
4. Dementia
FLOSSING could be key to keeping in tip top shape as you age.
A new study of 28,000 patients in Taiwan found that those with chronic gum disease for more than a decade were 1.7 times more likely to be at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease – the most common form of dementia.
Scientists have even found evidence of the bacteria that casues gum disease lodged in the brains of people who died with Alzheimer’s .
Experts believe the toxins could travel from the blood to the brain where they cause long-term damage over time.
Common early symptoms of dementia:
Memory loss
Difficulty concentrating
Finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, such as getting confused over the correct change when shopping
Struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word
Being confused about time and place
Mood changes
How to brush your teeth the right way
IT can sometimes be hard to know how to look after your teeth beyond brushing them twice a day.
Thankfully, Faizan Zaheer, from Bupa Dental Care, previously shared his advice on how to keep teeth in tip-top condition.
BRUSH UP ON STORAGE: Good toothbrush hygiene means keeping it somewhere for it to dry out — and that’s not the bathroom.
Faizan said: “Toothbrushes that stay moist for an extended period encourage bacterial growth.
“Keep your toothbrush holder away from the toilet and sink.
“Flushing can create an aerosol effect, spraying germs in the air.”
It is also a good idea to change your brush every three to four months.
TWO-MINUTE CLEAN: Brush your teeth for two minutes, morning and evening, with a fluoride toothpaste.
“If you are very good at brushing, then plaque will not build up, so there will be fewer spots for bacteria to produce acid and cause decay,” says Faizan.
Brushing too hard can wear away the enamel on your teeth, so use light pressure in a small, circular motion.
DON’T RINSE: It is best to just spit out toothpaste after cleaning.
Faizan says: “People tend to rinse their mouths after brushing.
“However, this causes the removal of fluoride from the teeth, which means it can’t benefit by strengthening the minerals in the enamel.”
Rinsing with mouthwash is another habit to drop.
Faizan says: “It usually has a lower fluoride concentration than toothpaste.
“Therefore, it will dilute the fluoride concentration in the mouth if used after brushing.”
Wait a minute after brushing before using mouthwash, or find another time in the day.
FLOSS: Using floss or small interdental brushes removes bacteria between your teeth.
Faizan says: “Put the dental floss between two teeth and while holding it firmly against one tooth, slide it up and down.
“Repeat while holding the floss against the other tooth in the gap.
“As the floss reaches your gums, carefully slide it below the gum line to get those hard-to-reach places.”