Dental hygiene is very essential for both adults and kids alike. A majority of adults – young, middle aged and even senior adults experience some or the other dental problem in the course of their life. Oral hygiene is very important at every age to avoid tooth decay and eventual loss of teeth. Gum disease due to lack of oral hygiene results in the chronic inflammation and infection of the gums and its surrounding tissues and as such an adult will lose the tooth. The free flowing bacteria from the gums move in the blood stream and can stress the body’s immune system.
Studies have shown that gum disease caused by poor dental hygiene in adults has been linked to many major medical conditions like diabetes, respiratory disorders, strokes and heart attacks. A diabetic adult must be aware of his associated circulatory problems and realize that he is a more likely candidate for dental diseases. Without having any signs of dental problems like tooth pain and discomfort, such a diabetic adult in whom the gum disease has progressed will suddenly encounter bleeding gums with swelling and pus.
Due to the gradual shift in the teeth, the dentures if being used by a diabetic may stop fitting properly. Severe toothache may cause difficulty in eating and an inadequate diet will be difficult in controlling the diabetic disease itself. Improper dental hygiene which results in gum disease in a diabetic adult also has another negative impact. Bacteria which thrive in the oral cavity of such a person are transferred to the lungs as a result of breathing. Accumulation of the oral bacteria in the lungs can ultimately result in pneumonia in the person if proper precautions are not taken in time.
Research has proved that adults with gum disease are more likely to have a heart attack. Oral bacteria originating from the diseased gums find their way to the veins and arteries causing arterial inflammation and plaque buildup. This can result in hazardous blood clotting if not controlled in time. Even persons without any evidence of cardiovascular disease but have a bad condition of gums due to poor oral hygiene are prone to clot related strokes sometimes.
A good immunity is vital for the longevity of a person’s life. One can reduce the risk of major diseases to boost the immunity and for this keeping the gum disease at bay is important.
Many an adult may face a ‘dry mouth’ condition as a result of the various medications taken to control any health disorder like diabetes, depression or high blood pressure. A dentist may recommend mouth wash, tooth pastes or chewing gum to reduce this oral problem. Keeping the family dentist in regular contact may help the person to tackle such problems.
It is very essential that an adult follows a regular regime of good oral hygiene like brushing and flossing twice a day, avoiding sugary snacks, eating a balanced diet, visiting a dentist for regular check-ups and also gets an extracted tooth replaced as early as possible to keep the remaining teeth healthy. All this will ensure the avoidance of the ill effects of gum disease and promote overall health.
