Studies have shown that dental caries may be a risk factor for diabetes and heart disease. This is because people with cavities (an oral disease) are at a higher risk of contracting diabetes or heart disease.

It’s Backed by Science

According to the Centers for Disease Control, studies have shown that tooth decay may be predictive of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases.

In a study measuring the incidence of dental caries in 1,000 adults aged 40-59 years old, there was found to be a correlation between dental caries and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases in those who had tooth decay.

This means that if you already have an oral disease such as tooth decay or cavities, you could also be at risk for other common chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular diseases.

Go Visit Your Dentist

If you have any dental issues such as cavities or other oral diseases, make sure to visit your dentist as soon as possible for treatment. For example, if you notice that your teeth are hurting, it may be a sign of an infection caused by tooth decay. If you brush two times per day and floss once per day, you are essentially keeping your mouth healthy. If you neglect brushing, the bacteria will still build up on your teeth and eventually eat away at the enamel and cause cavities.