Are oral health problems life threatening?

Yes, some oral health problems can lead to life-threatening conditions. For instance, mouth and throat cancer can be life-threatening and can cause serious problems. This is why oral health matters. While everyone loves having a nice smile, it's important to see a dentist regularly so they can examine your mouth, not only for cavities, but for other health conditions as well.

Some oral health problems can be life-threatening. Cancer of the mouth, lips, or tongue are less likely to be fatal the earlier they are detected and treated. Untreated severe gum disease, while not inherently life-threatening, can allow bacteria to travel into your bloodstream, where it can cause possibly fatal infections in organs such as your heart. 

Absolutely! An avalanche of medical studies have linked oral health to systemic wellness and proper organ function in the heart, brain, lung, pancreas, kidney and uterus. With a high statistical correlation, gum disease and tooth decay have been linked to up to a ten times greater chance of heart attack or stroke, a seven times greater chance of developing adult onset (Type 2) diabetes and premature low weight birth, and a 67% higher incidence of pancreatic cancer in men. In fact, gum disease, a major source of chronic low grade inflammation in the body has been linked to a variety of cancers- many of which are life threatening.