Having healthy teeth and gums is about more than just shiny, sparkling smiles and minty breath. The state of your mouth can have a significant impact on your wellbeing and, in the UK, while plenty of people are starting to realise it, many still don’t appreciate how gum disease, tooth decay or other problems can affect their general health. Looking after your mouth properly can do much to help your wellbeing in the long term.
Oral Health and Its Connection to Overall Health
Your mouth is the portal to your body, and you can pick up clues about your general health by looking at your teeth and gums. Bad oral hygiene can result in more than cavities and gingivitis. It can trigger conditions, by allowing bacteria from your mouth to enter your bloodstream and affect other organs.
One important link between oral health and general health is inflammation. Inflammation of the gums – often caused by gum disease (periodontitis) – can lead to inflammation elsewhere in the body. Chronic inflammation is a mechanism in some of the most common and serious health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Cardiovascular Disease and Oral Health
Gum disease is now known to raise the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes. When gums are infected, bacteria are shot into the bloodstream. They can build up in blood vessels and trigger inflammation. This is thought to cause atherosclerosis, the hardening and narrowing of arteries, which can lead to heart problems.
So a healthy mouth isn’t just about having a pretty smile, it’s about protecting your heart. Brushing, flossing and regular dental visits can lower your chances of gum disease and, in turn, heart disease.
Diabetes and Oral Health
Diabetes and oral health are intertwined.
In the UK, where millions of people are affected by the disease, taking care of your teeth can improve blood sugar control and help prevent gum disease, as well as the complications that can arise from it. Keeping your teeth clean and visiting the dentist regularly can help prevent the onset of diabetes and improve its management.
Respiratory Health and Oral Hygiene
A less obvious link between oral health and general wellbeing is its role in respiratory health. Bacteria from the mouth can be breathed into the lungs, triggering respiratory infections, especially in older people or those with pre-existing lung problems. Pneumonia and other respiratory diseases can be exacerbated by poor oral health through the effects of harmful bacteria from infected gums or teeth being swallowed or breathed into the respiratory system.
This brings home the importance of oral care to maintain the health of your lungs and overall respiratory function as well as your teeth. Brushing and flossing daily, and visiting your dental hygienist regularly will keep these threatening infections at bay.
The Importance of Preventive Care
Maintaining oral health is important for general health. Simple things such as brushing teeth twice a day, floss once a day, and visiting dentist twice a year will keep your teeth healthy. Fluoride toothpastes and avoiding high sugar food intake will reduce the chances of tooth decay and gum diseases.
For those already suffering from a condition such as diabetes or heart disease, maintaining dental health is even more crucial. Dentists can detect early manifestations of oral disease that may impact these conditions, and give advice regarding how to care for the mouth for optimal health.
Other lifestyle factors, apart from dental hygiene, also have an impact on oral and general health. Smoking increases the risk of oral diseases, including gum disease, oral cancer and leukoplakia (which is thickened tissue in the mouth that may be pre-cancerous, or cancerous). Smoking also increases risks for many serious diseases such as heart and lung disease. Smoking cessation can improve oral health as well as reduce the risk of many life-threatening illnesses.
Conclusion
What happens in your mouth can impact your entire body, and vice versa. It’s no surprise that good dental care and regular trips to the dentist are crucial for more than just your smile – good oral hygiene can protect you from heart disease, diabetes and respiratory conditions, among other complications.
Learn how you can take care of your oral hygiene and prevent life-altering health problems by following some simple steps to stay healthy. In our modern healthcare climate in the UK where the benefits of good oral health care are being understood, there has been no better time to explain the importance of taking care of your teeth to build a healthier you.
