Complications of Neglecting Dental Hygiene

Eating and speaking are things people generally take for granted, but millions of Americans who don’t take proper care of their teeth can affect their ability to do both. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 26% of United States adults are dealing with untreated tooth decay, and nearly half (46%) of adults over 30 demonstrate signs of gum disease.

Not only can the complications from poor dental hygiene lead to significant problems with your teeth, gums, and jaw, but they can cause issues that severely compromise your overall health. Let’s look at how neglecting your dental hygiene can affect your body and what you can do to improve your teeth.

Residents in Mamaroneck, New York, and Stamford, Connecticut, looking for relief from gum disease and tooth decay can get help from Dr. Gennadiy Kravets and the compassionate team at All Bright Dental. We provide comprehensive preventive, restorative, and cosmetic care for a wide variety of dental problems for patients of all ages.

Defining poor dental hygiene

The mouth is the starting point of the digestive system, an environment that contains many harmless bacteria to help in breaking down food particles. To keep harmful bacteria from collecting in your mouth, cleaning your teeth regularly by brushing and flossing helps to keep food particles and bad bacteria from collecting in between your teeth and gums.

Neglecting this can cause infections in your teeth and gums that can lead to tooth decay, gum disease (periodontitis), tooth loss, dry mouth, mouth ulcers, and other problems that can create the climate for worsening dental health.

How it can affect your body

Infections that affect your teeth and gums can spread to other parts of the body and create other significant complications, such as:

Endocarditis: bacteria in your mouth can get into your bloodstream and attach to areas of your heart
Cardiovascular disease: while the link isn’t entirely understood, research indicates the inflammation and infections in the mouth can lead to many types of heart disease
Birth complications: research also shows premature births and low birth weight are tied to gum disease in mothers
Pneumonia: bad mouth bacteria can be drawn into your lungs, putting you at risk of pneumonia

Conditions like diabetes, osteoporosis, and HIV/AIDS can affect your body’s defense against infection and bone loss, which can increase the risks of complications from dental problems.

Best habits for proper dental care

Daily habits to help maintain proper dental hygiene include:

Brushing twice daily

Brushing is one of the essential tools in protecting your teeth, so don’t rush through it. Also, remember to clean your tongue, either with your toothbrush or a tongue scraper.

Flossing daily

This is essential for cleaning particles and bacteria that can get trapped in areas your brush can’t reach, such as between your teeth. Use about 18 inches of floss and grip tightly between your thumb and forefingers. Gently guide the floss between teeth until it reaches the gum line, making a ‘C’ shape.

Using the right equipment

Be sure to use a soft bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to maximize the quality of each brushing, and be sure to replace your brush at least every three months.

Poor dental care can lead to many other health issues. If you take care of your teeth now, you can avoid these complications and keep your body healthier. Routine dental visits will help you gauge how well you’re caring for your teeth, so if you need to get a checkup or have dental concerns, make an appointment with us today to make sure your teeth are at their best.