Oral Health Link to Whole Body Health: A Blog
Why Cracked, Loose, or Missing Teeth Can Constitute a Dental Emergency
Duane Kelly
Many people live their daily lives with less-than-perfect oral health. Indeed, tooth issues may seem to only affect outward appearance.
While many instances of cracked or loose teeth are often ignored, they can easily constitute a dental emergency. This is because damaged teeth can be an entry point for infection-causing bacteria, and they can also be vulnerable sites for a host of other dental complications.
Infection
A cracked, missing or loose tooth is often vulnerable to infection. This is because such teeth tend to contribute to poor oral hygiene, causing decay and cavities. When damaged teeth form cavities, bacteria get an entry point into the body and cause many different infections.
If you have a weak immune system or you're suffering from another type of ailment, cracked or missing teeth can make things worse for you. Therefore, any events that cause your teeth to become knocked loose or to develop cavities should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible.
Gum disease
Cracked and missing teeth are common causes of gum diseases such as gingivitis or periodontal disease. When the gums become infected and start to bleed, they can affect the neighbouring teeth or lead to the loss of valuable blood.
Bleeding gums are also a hygiene issue because items such as toothbrushes, spoons, and other eating utensils can easily become infected.
Nutrition complications
Cracked and loose/missing teeth can make it challenging to eat certain types of food. You may find yourself easting less meat, fruits, and other nutrient-rich items that were previously in your diet before your teeth were affected. This can result in long-term nutritional deficits and can affect the health of your entire body.
If you're having difficult eating certain types of food, contact an emergency dentist as soon as possible.
Heart disease
When a bacterial infection penetrates the body and spreads to the heart, it results in a condition called bacterial endocarditis. This is heart infection that has the potential of being fatal if you're not healthy.
Therefore, a simple cracked tooth can begin to decay, become infected, and spread to the heart.
Misaligned teeth
When your teeth become cracked or loose, they can cause the other teeth in the mouth to move out of position and exert undue pressure on the jawbone. For example, a tooth that has been knocked out of position can transfer pressure to the surrounding teeth and move them slightly out of their natural placement.
This often results in symptoms such as headaches, grinding of teeth, and speech issues. Emergency dental treatment comes in handy in such situations.
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You may have heard that cavities and oral decay are linked to things like heart disease, and, in fact, your oral health affects your entire body. Hi! My name is Brenda, and I like to look at things holistically. Because of that, I created this blog. I plan for its posts to look at the link between dental issues and other health issues. I hope that the people who visit this blog learn a few tips about oral care as well as gaining a deeper understanding of why it's so important. Healthy smiles indicate a healthy body, and I hope this blog helps you achieve both!