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Can Poor Oral Health Lead to Poor Brain Health, Dementia or Worse?

Are you aware of all the serious health risks that exist when you have poor oral health?

When you lack proper oral hygiene, you run the risk of suffering from tooth decay, gum disease, periodontitis and more.

If left untreated, these dental health complications can progress to more serious, life threatening conditions.

Did you know that you can also develop brain-related complications when you neglect your oral health care?

That’s right: studies found a link between poor oral health and poor brain health.

What that means for you?

Your oral health can affect your brain health. And this is perhaps one of the most dangerous outcomes that can result from bad dental hygiene.

Not sure if you have poor oral health?

Here are some examples of poor oral hygiene:

Bad brushing habits

Neglecting to floss

Grinding your teeth

Eating foods high in sugar

Smoking or chewing tobacco

And much more…

Teeth brushing tip: for good oral health, you should brush your teeth 2-3 times per day and floss daily.

our Teeth and Your Brain Are More Connected Than You Think

Did you know your teeth are directly connected to your brain?

In fact, there are multiple nerves in the oral cavity that attach to your brain. For instance, the trigeminal nerve is a cranial nerve that connects to your teeth, gums, jaw and more.

As a result, an untreated tooth infection can quickly become a brain infection. This happens when the tooth infection spreads to the bloodstream, which carries bacteria straight to the brain.

At this point, the bacterial infection attacks neurons found in the brain, which puts you at risk of memory loss and other life altering complications.

In severe cases, a brain abscess can form. This a rare condition in which pus invades the brain.

Symptoms of a Brain Infection From Teeth:

Fever

Lethargy

Headache

Nausea and vomiting

Trouble remembering

Increased confusion

Reduced mobility

Vision changes

And more…

 

Special note: if you think you might be experiencing a brain infection from poor oral health, visit your trusted dentist right away.

 

Dementia And Poor Oral Health

The Most Common Brain Disease Caused By Poor Dental Hygiene

Dementia is a very common condition that causes memory loss. It is also one of the most common brain diseases caused by poor dental hygiene.

At times, the memory loss caused by dementia can be so extreme that it impacts daily functioning.

Though dementia usually occurs in old age, it can happen much sooner if there are oral health complications involved.

Read on to learn more about the link between neglected oral health and dementia.

How Poor Dental Health Causes Dementia:

Gum Disease And Dementia — Did you know you are more likely to develop dementia if you suffer from gum disease? In fact, studies found a connection between gum disease and cognitive decline as well as a direct link between periodontal disease and dementia. Some studies even suggest that gum disease can be a catalyst for Alzheimer’s. If you have the early stages of gum disease, also known as gingivitis, as your dentist how you can keep the disease under control.

Tooth Infection And Memory Loss — Did you know an untreated cavity can lead to dementia? A tooth infection can result in memory loss when the infection spreads to the brain. When your cavity reaches the tooth’s root, the infection threatens nerves and blood vessels, which directly connect to the brain. Stop the infection from spreading by maintaining proper oral hygiene and be sure to visit your dentist on a regular basis.

Tooth Loss And Dementia — Did you know a mouth full of teeth is less likely to develop dementia later on in life? Studies show that severe tooth loss and dementia are connected. While the reason for the connection remains unproven, there is certainly a link. If you have lost a lot of teeth over the years, you might be at a higher risk of getting this brain disease.

What You Can Do To Keep Your Teeth Healthy & Thriving

Protect Your Brain Health By Preventing Poor Dental Health

Do you want to minimize your risk of developing brain diseases like memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s?

You can prevent poor brain health by maintaining proper oral hygiene.

Here are the top three things you should do to keep your teeth healthy and thriving:

Brush your teeth 2-3 times per day

Floss your teeth at least once per day

Visit your family dentist regularly.

(12/19/2021)
by AppleSprings Family Dentistry

More Information: https://www.applespringsfamilydentistry.com/oral-health-brain-health/

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