Many individuals fail to see the importance of oral health. They will do whatever is necessary to remain physically healthy but refuse to partake in a daily oral care regimen. What you may not know is poor oral health can negatively affect your physical well-being in more ways than one. Well, the same can be said about poor physical health, because various health conditions can impact your oral health. While this may sound confusing, what it boils down to is oral and physical go hand-in-hand.
Gastrointestinal Disease
There are several gastrointestinal diseases linked to poor dental health. Acid reflux disease just happens to be one of the main culprits of tooth enamel erosion, halitosis (bad breath), and mouth ulcers. The stomach acid will leak up into the esophagus and oral cavity. Over time, the acid will erode the tooth enamel. There are several things that you can do to prevent the extent of the damage. Brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth, as soon as you experience a reflux episode will help, but you should also avoid caffeine, acidic foods, and alcohol right before bedtime.
Chronic Renal Disease
The kidneys are responsible for various life functions and if they are not working properly, there is a huge risk of oral disease. According to the CDC, there are currently over 20 million American adults living with renal disease. There are many contributors to chronic renal disease, Type II diabetes mellitus, and hypertension (high blood pressure). The medications prescribed as part of the treatment can also have a huge effect on oral health, leading to tooth decay, mouth ulcers, and gum periodontal disease.