Yes, dental health is closely related to overall health. The mouth can be seen as a gateway to a large number of microbes. These can sometimes endanger your health, cause infections, and may spread to other organs in your body. They find their way through the digestive tract or through the blood.
Most dental problems are caused by bacteria or other harmful microorganisms. These microbes are responsible for tooth decay, gum disease, and oral abscesses. If these dental problems are not resolved, damaging microorganisms grow in the mouth and then find ways to spread through other organs in the body. There is evidence that certain systemic diseases may be caused or complicated by such oral infections.
Diabetes is a disease caused by a lack of insulin in the pancreas. Diabetic patients have weakened immune system function. Infections that affect any part of the body will require more time to heal. Gum diseases including gingivitis and periodontitis may have chronic characteristics, which means that the infection is slow but presents a continuous basis. People with diabetes have periodontitis that wears faster, because the body's defense system against infection is weaker. Another way has a negative effect: Periodontitis can worsen the patient's diabetes status.
Infective endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart and also involves a heart valve. It occurs when pathogens and fungi flow into the heart through the bloodstream. It can affect drug users who use non-sterile syringes, but it can also affect people who have oral infections. Some patients with abnormal cardiac valves should take antibiotics before dental treatment.
