Final answer:
Poor oral health can lead to an increased risk of various health issues including heart disease, stroke, and malnutrition. Inflammatory responses from oral bacterial growth, such as those from Streptococcus, can affect the heart and arteries, while lifestyle factors like smoking worsen oral health and contribute to chronic diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that poor oral health is linked to various health problems. Poor oral health, such as periodontitis and dental caries, can increase bacterial growth, leading to inflammation and infection that may affect other parts of the body. For instance, the bacteria Streptococcus, commonly found in the mouth, can enter the bloodstream during dental cleaning or even tooth brushing, contributing to plaque accumulation in arteries. This can lead to atherosclerosis, which is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Additionally, poor oral health can exacerbate malnutrition, particularly in the elderly, by causing pain and difficulty eating, thereby worsening existing health conditions and increasing mortality.
Smoking further worsens oral health by causing gum disease, which is associated with increased risk of tooth loss, and promotes the development of various cancers and chronic diseases such as stroke. These conditions are examples of how lifestyle choices, including dietary habits and physical inactivity, can lead to common noninfectious diseases like obesity, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer, which are largely preventable through healthier choices.