From a young age, many of us learn to fear the dentist. As adults, we avoid making appointments and often find compelling reasons to postpone or miss our cleanings. Surely, in order toA�become a dental hygienist, one must study methods of soothing anxiety-ridden patients who have put off their appointment for far too long. Unfortunately, dental neglect impacts our overall health a�� indeed, our quality of life – in several substantial ways. From the emotional distress of a disfigured smile to the very real connections between compromised oral care and heart problems, insidious infection, and oropharyngeal cancer. Upon reflection, visiting the dentist for a cleaning and a check-up seems harmless compared to the dangers one risks by avoiding the a�?chair.a�?
Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
The most common side effects of periodontal, or a�?guma�? disease are tender, bleeding gums, bad breath and increasingly loose teeth. Lesser known and even more concerning is the link between the disease and cardiovascular problems. Some researchers believe that the bacteria growing in the mouth travels through the bloodstream and contributes to fatty plaques in the arteries. Others believe that the same bacteria prompt the liver to make high levels of an inflammatory protein, which can eventually cause heart attack or stroke.
Decreased Quality of Life
Students in dental hygienist school understand that the impacts of poor oral health are not always physical. An unhealthy mouth can degrade our overall quality of life by causing emotional and psychological distress. We may be afraid to smile because of missing, cracked, or discoloured teeth, which in turn impacts our ability to communicate, make friends and participate in social life.A� In addition, pain from an untreated infection will rob us of a balanced diet and much-needed restorative sleep, affecting our mood, work performance and immune system.
Human Papillomavirus and Oropharyngeal Cancer
Poorly maintained teeth and gums may also be linked to HPV (Human Papillomavirus), which in turn can lead to certain mouth and throat cancers. In a recent American study that comprised over 3000 adults, researchers made initial links between poor oral hygiene and HPV. Over 10% of participants with tooth or gum disease tested positive for the virus, and poor oral health was linked to a 56% increase in risk for contracting oral HPV. Although more research is needed to substantiate the connection between poor oral hygiene and a higher risk for HPV, the study certainly underscores what dental experts and recipients of dental hygienist training already know: failure to maintain oral health can lead to cancers of the mouth and throat.
Is avoiding the dentist really worth the risk to your overall health?
