Okemos, Lansing, East Lansing MI
Poor dental care has many drawbacks, some of which are more readily apparent than others. For example, one potential consequence of imperfectly maintained teeth is pain: poor dental care can lead to cavities (which can make teeth sensitive to hot, cold, and sweeteners) and inflamed gums. Teeth that are not properly aligned can hurt and cause grinding, which can lead to headaches, tongue thrust and the so-called “burning tongue” syndrome.
Insufficient oral health can also have social consequences. Teeth that are not well cared for can become discolored or fall out. Missing teeth can lead to a sunken facial appearance and wrinkles and can make speaking more difficult. Lack of dental care can lead to bad breath, and teeth that hurt can compel a person to avoid certain kinds of foods (and, by extension, events where those foods are served). If nothing else, it can make a person self-conscious.
These outcomes can be inconvenient or nerve-wracking, but a lack of attention to dental care can also lead to serious – even life-threatening – health conditions. What are some of these conditions?
Oral health
Poor dental hygiene can lead to gum disease, which can lead to pain and tooth loss. Worse than that, periodontal disease can spread to the jaw and cause bone resorption, whereby the jawbone disintegrates. This risk is very pronounced if a tooth is missing.
Bad tooth alignment – and especially bad alignment caused by the loss of a tooth, which will often cause remaining teeth to shift – can lead to bruxism (grinding). Bruxism can also lead to temporomandibular joint dysfunction. The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are essentially sliding hinges – one on each side of the head – which connect the lower jaw to the skull. They are also responsible for allowing the mouth to open and close. A distressed TMJ can make chewing, drinking, swallowing, speaking, singing, or even yawning uncomfortable oR agonizing.
Life-threatening conditions
In sufficiently advanced cases, poor dental care can lead to oral pain so severe that it restricts the diet to a point that it threatens the intake of vitamins and minerals, possibly leading to malnutrition. Malnutrition then can lead to hair loss, difficulty concentrating, lethargy, weakness, and muscle loss, among many other conditions.
As far back as 1999, studies have shown that the buildup of bacteria in the mouth can greatly increase the risks associated with pneumonia. Research also shows that proper dental attention reduces these risks, especially in the elderly.
Scientists have also noted that excessive bacteria can invade the bloodstream of pregnant women and even attack the fetus, causing premature birth and low birth weight.
Additionally, a researcher from the University of Illinois Chicago conducted an experiment in 2019 to study the effect of periodontal disease on the cells of the pancreas and liver. It concluded that these organs respond to periodontal disease in such a way that it presents a greater risk for diabetes. The same researcher confirmed the findings of a different study from the previous year in Europe, showing the connection between poor dental care and tooth loss and the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Scientists have also begun to observe links in laboratory experiments between bad teeth and a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Health risks of poor dental care
Teeth in poor condition bring a risk of unpleasantness at the very least: bad breath and changes in a person’s diet, appearance and speech are all outcomes that most people want to avoid. However, poor dental care can lead to much more dire situations that can even be fatal. The good news is this: proper dental care can prevent, reverse or repair many of these conditions. A consultation with Dr. Tenaglia is the best possible way to improve or restore oral health and maintain good health for the future.