“The mouth is the body’s mirror.” This statement reflects how oral health and general health are interlinked. Brushing and flossing your teeth after each meal and before bedtime really should be part of your daily personal hygiene routine. Not only to avoid bad breath, dental cavities, and tartar but also to avoid chronic disease.
A white paper by the FDI World Dental Federation shows that oral care is vital for our physical and psychological well-being. Unfortunately, oral care is often overlooked, and oral diseases are among the most common globally. According to the report, almost 100% of adults and 60 – 90% of schoolchildren worldwide suffer from dental cavities. Additionally, 30% of people aged 60 – 74 years no longer have their natural teeth.
Many health conditions cause oral signs and symptoms. In other words, what’s going on in your mouth reveals much about your overall health. The Academy of General Dentistry goes as far as to say that over 90% of all systemic diseases (those that affect several organs and tissues, or the body as a whole) produce oral signs and symptoms. It is clear that chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes share common risk factors with oral disease.
Oral health and diabetes: a bi-directional relationship
One example is the strong bi-directional link between diabetes and oral health conditions such as gingivitis, periodontitis and tooth-bearing bone loss demonstrated by a study published in the Journal of The American Dental Association.
Fungal infections in the mouth are more commonly found in diabetes patients as they often suffer from dry mouth, a favorable environment for bacteria.
In turn, having gum disease has a negative impact on diabetes sufferers as gum infections can make it harder to control blood glucose levels.
Oral health and heart attack: inconclusive scientific evidence
For years, scientists and experts have explored the relationship between oral health and the risk of heart attack. The underlying thought is that in people who suffer from periodontitis (erosion of tissue and bone that support the teeth), bacteria are released into the bloodstream while they chew or brush their teeth. Some of the species of bacteria that cause periodontitis are also found in the plaque in arteries in the heart. This plaque can lead to heart attack.
In 2013, the American Heart Association reported that poor oral health doesn’t necessarily lead to cardiovascular diseases, and that treating gum infection doesn’t reduce the risk of heart attack.
In the absence of conclusive scientific evidence, it is not possible to confirm that dental and gum diseases cause cardiovascular diseases. However, all studies agree on the importance of good oral health practices. Prevention is better than cure!
What can you do to protect your oral and thereby your general health?
Practice good oral hygiene! For example:
- Brush your teeth properly at least twice a day, or after each meal. The way you brush is important! Move the toothbrush in gentle, circular motions to remove plaque and take your time.
- Gently brush your tongue once you’re done with your teeth to remove plaque that can build up there as well.
- Floss daily to stimulate your gums, reduce plaque and help lower any gum inflammation.
- Eat a healthy diet and limit between-meal snacks.
- Change your toothbrush every 3 months.
- Schedule regular, at least once every 6 months, dental checkups, and cleanings.
- Avoid tobacco use! The risk of gum infection is seven times higher for smokers than for non-smokers and smoking hinders treatment of gum infections and greatly increases your risk of developing oral cancer.
- Reduce or stop alcohol consumption. Alcohol use increases the risk of tooth decay, mouth sores and gum disease while alcohol abuse is the second most common risk factor for oral cancer.
- Give up sugar. Sugar converts to acid in your mouth and can erode the enamel of your teeth and lead to cavities.
- Protect your teeth by wearing a mouth guard and/or helmet during contact or extreme sports.
- Visit your dentist as soon as an oral health problem arises and, in case you suffer from diabetes or heart disease, be sure to inform your dentist prior to your checkup or treatment so they can make informed decisions about the best course of treatment.
Invest in your overall health by practising good oral health on a daily basis. The small daily effort will pay off in the long run.
