Healthy Problems Caused by Bad Oral Hygiene Habits

Caring for your child’s teeth is about a lot more than just the health of his or her gums, mouth, and teeth. Poor dental hygiene habits can have a negative consequence on the entire body. If your child has frequent toothaches, bleeding gums, or chronic bad breath, he or she may be suffering from an oral health problem, which can also impact their overall health as well.

Non-Dental Health Problems Caused by Bad Dental Health

Below are a few of the most common and severe health problems caused by neglecting good oral hygiene habits:

• Heart Disease – If gum tissue becomes inflamed because of the bacteria that causes gum disease, these same bacteria can get into the bloodstream, causing plaque to build up in the arteries and harden. This will eventually lead to heart blockages, blood flow problems, and an increased risk of a heart attack.
• Diabetes – Those who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop an infection in the gum tissue which will lead to periodontal disease. In turn, periodontal disease will make diabetes more difficult to control. Additionally, gum disease can cause higher-than-usual blood sugar levels, so people with poor oral health habits are more susceptible to diabetes. This vicious cycle can be stopped by teaching your children to care for their teeth and gums early on.
• Cancer – Obviously bad oral health habits like smoking or chewing tobacco can cause throat and oral cancers. But other types of cancer have also been linked to gum disease, including kidney cancer, blood cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

Prevention

The best way to prevent serious health problems caused by bad oral health is to make sure you’re teaching your children early on about practicing good oral hygiene habits every day. This means brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily, and bring your children to Piedmont Pediatric Dentistry every six months for a cleaning and a checkup.