New research proves that this habit of brushing has serious consequences on your health and put you at 52% increased risk of getting the disease.

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have reported a serious mistake that should be avoided when brushing your teeth.

Neglecting oral health can lead to much more serious problems than tooth decay.

The study authors report that the history of gum disease (mainly gingivitis and periodontitis) is associated with a significant increased risk of a number of diseases, including cardiovascular disease (stroke and heart failure) and mental health problems (anxiety, depression and severe mental illness). disorders).

Poor oral hygiene leads to the development of autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and type 1 diabetes, as well as cardiometabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

“Poor oral health is extremely common, both here in the UK and globally,” said Co-first author, Dr Joht Singh Chandan.

If the deterioration of the oral cavity progresses, it will lead to a significant reduction in quality of life. However, little is still known about the link between poor oral health and many chronic diseases, including mental health.

Everyone knows that a toothbrush and floss will keep your smile, but maintaining healthy gums also benefits the body as a whole and the brain.

Gingivitis is quite common and the symptoms are usually mild. You may notice only slight swelling and bleeding while brushing your teeth. If you are familiar with such symptoms, you should probably overestimate the technique and frequency of brushing your teeth.

Study

“We conducted one of the largest epidemiological studies of its kind to date, using UK primary care data to explore the association between periodontal disease and several chronic conditions.  We found evidence that periodontal disease appears to be associated with an increased risk of developing these associated chronic diseases. As periodontal diseases are very common, an increased risk of other chronic diseases may represent a substantial public health burden,” explained Dr. Chandan.

The researchers analyzed a data set of 64,379 patients diagnosed with periodontitis (60,995 of them had gingivitis and 3,384 had periodontitis). These individuals were then compared with another 251,161 people without periodontal disease. In all subjects, the average age of patients was 44, and 43% of subjects were men.

Analyzing the data, the study authors found that those diagnosed with gum problems were more likely to develop additional health problems (heart, mental health, etc.) over an average three-year period.

Like a toothache, the results are almost impossible to ignore. Surprisingly, those with a history of gum disease were 37% more likely to develop poor mental health and 33% more likely to suffer from autoimmune disease. In addition, poor oral health was associated with an 18% higher risk of heart problems and a 26% higher risk of type 2 diabetes.

“[This study] reinforces the importance of prevention, early identification and treatment of periodontitis and the need for members of the public to attend regular oral health checks with a dentist or dental care professional,” added periodontist Dr. Devan Raindi.

Another study published in the journal Gut discovered that gum disease may be associated with a considerably increased risk of two cancers.

Scientists discovered that microorganisms living between your teeth and gums may influence your risk of stomach and esophageal cancers.

Over 150,000 men and women were surveyed over a 28-year period for the study.

People with a history of gum disease are 43% more likely to acquire oesophageal cancer and 52% more likely to develop gastric (stomach) cancer than those with healthy gums, according to the study. Those with gum disease severe enough to induce tooth loss were found to be at an even higher risk.

While the study does not establish that gum disease causes cancer, it does suggest that in the future, doctors may be able to estimate your total cancer risk by looking at your gum health.

An important part of the big health puzzle

There is no shortage of advice and recommendations that are intended to assist you to enhance your mental outlook and staying healthy for a long time. Both studies suggest that taking care of our teeth and gums can assist. Oral hygiene is a crucial piece of the overall health puzzle.

“An important implication of our findings is the need for effective communication between dental and other healthcare professionals to ensure patients obtain an effective treatment plan targeting both oral and wider health to improve their existing overall health and reduce the risk of future illness,” concluded Senior author of the study, Professor Krish Nirantharakumar.

Image Credit: Getty

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