When Your Teeth Are Bad, You Are Bad!
Poor oral health heightens the risk of bacterial infections. Bacteria and toxins from your mouth can spread to your heart and the rest of your body through the blood stream and can contribute to inflammation.
Conditions that are linked to gum disease:
Heart disease: There is a 2 – 3 x higher risk of having a stroke or heart attack if you have gum disease. Add cholesterol and smoking to the mix and the risk is higher.
Osteoporosis: In the jaw bone.
Respiratory disease: Bacteria in the mouth can move into the lungs and cause infection such as pneumonia.
Cancer: Research shows that there may be an increased risk in lung, blood, kidney and pancreatic cancers.
Rheumatoid arthritis: Early research shows an association between gum diseases and RA.
Diabetes: People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing gum disease.
Pregnancy: Due to hormonal changes and increased blood flow, this can lead to gum disease.
Gut issues: A large amount of bacteria enters the mouth on a continuous basis via water, touching your mouth and food. They can cause untold problems such as diarrhoea, bloating, stomach ulcers, reflux to name a few.
How to improve your oral health:
- Brush your teeth twice a day.
- Floss your teeth after each meal.
- Gargle with salt /Epsom salt water (add tea tree and organum oil into it).
- Do oil pulling on a regular basis (see recipe).
- Visit your Dentist and Oral Hygienist at least twice a year.
- If you have a sore tooth or possible abscess, get it seen to straight away.
- Eat foods high in antioxidants (see my article).
- Drink lots of water.
- Take probiotics.
Undertake low grade gut healing all the time (speak to me).
The signs of periodontitis:
- Swollen, red, tender gums.
- Bad breath.
- Gums that bleed easily.
- Build-up of hard brown deposits along the gum line.
- Loose teeth that are moving apart.
