The Effects of Cavities on Your Overall Health

Cavities are one of the worst nightmares one can ever experience. Just a single toothache can take a toll on your overall well-being. Imagine not sleeping at night because a cavity is keeping you awake or skipping important meals because you don’t want to chew on anything.

One thing about cavities is that they start small, and you won’t even think they can be a big issue. Small black spots on your teeth may appear harmless but can be a nightmare if left untreated. Unfortunately, many people postpone dental checkups or treatments until the problem gets out of hand. 

Cavities not only affect your dental health but overall body health. They can affect your mental and physical well-being in different ways. This article outlines some of the ways cavities affect your overall health. 

Once you have a cavity, your entire oral health will be at risk. Your cavity will be a breeding ground for all the bad bacteria, which will eventually move to attack your healthy teeth. A cavity provides a favorable condition for the growth and spread of bacteria. Unless you take appropriate measures on time, cavities can wreak havoc in your entire mouth.

Cavities start by spreading infections to your mouth and then to the rest of the body. If you have a weak immune response, mouth bacteria can easily find their way to other body parts.

These infections start by entering the respiratory tract and going to the lungs. With time, you’ll start developing pneumonia or bronchitis. The oral bacteria can also enter the bloodstream, causing infections. They affect the inner lining of the heart or cause blockage of the vessels. You’ll develop a condition known as endocarditis.

Cavities affect you not only physically but also socially. You’ll live your life worrying about different things, from your dental hygiene to the pain the cavity causes. You’ll have a hard time attending social gatherings or mingling freely with people if you have cavities.  

You won’t be able to talk or smile freely because you’re worried about your dental issue. Anything that affects your self-esteem interferes with your mental health.

Digestion starts in your mouth before proceeding to other parts. This means that you need healthy teeth to chew food and aid the digestion process. However, cavities will hinder this digestion process because you won’t chew properly if you have a toothache. 

You won’t enjoy your favorite meals anymore and might avoid some nutritious foods. With time, you’ll develop nutrient deficiencies because you skip important meals.

If you ask anybody who has suffered a toothache, they’ll tell you it’s the worst pain they’ve ever endured. A toothache can keep you out of bed all night and frustrate you all day. The excruciating pain can keep you out of work, social events, or even small house chores.

The pain can ruin your mood and make you easily irritable. The pain can cloud your judgment and lead you to make wrong decisions that can affect you later on. Many patients rush to see dentists when they’re helpless and want nothing but to get rid of the troublesome tooth.

Ignoring a cavity for a long time can result in even worse health conditions, such as a heart attack or stroke. A cavity can develop into gingivitis, which causes inflammation. The bacteria can cause inflammation throughout the body. 

When the body is inflamed, it can cause congestion in the arteries or blood clots. These can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Oral care is a simple step you can take toward keeping cavities at bay. Don’t allow even a simple dot in your tooth to wreak havoc on your entire life. 

Make an appointment with your dentist in West Covina to have your oral health checked and cavities treated before they become a big health problem. Book an appointment with us today and keep your entire health in check.