Oral health is viewed to be an entity separate from the rest of the body’s health, whereas it shares a very intimate relationship with the general well-being of your body. Diseases and disorders concerning your teeth and gums can affect and reflect conditions transpiring in other parts of your body. Understanding this link will help in a great way in taking care of oral and general health. The paper associates oral health with various systemic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, among many others, and focuses on dental health.
Connection Between Oral Health and Overall Health
Uncover the vital connection between oral health and overall well-being. Learn how maintaining good dental hygiene can prevent serious conditions like heart disease, diabetes, respiratory issues, and more, emphasizing the importance of regular dental care.”
Oral Health and Heart Disease
Probably the most documented of all the links between oral health and systemic health is that between gum disease and heart disease. The most serious form of gum disease, periodontitis, is a bacterial infection of the mouth. The bacteria in the mouth have the potential to enter the bloodstream and consequently inflame blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis, which is the hardening of the arteries. The result is heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular ailments.
In fact, research has documented that individuals with periodontal disease face an increased risk of nearly a two-fold increase in developing heart disease. The bacteria that cause periodontal disease are also believed to contribute to plaque development in arteries, eventually resulting in blockage and contributing to heart problems. Thus, good oral health is not only essential for teeth and gums but can save your heart.
Oral Health and Diabetes
The exact relationship between oral health and diabetes goes both ways. Poor oral health can reduce the ability to control blood sugar. Diabetes can increase the risk of developing gum disease. Individuals with diabetes are more prone to infections such as periodontal disease because of their weakened immunity.
When the sugars of the blood are high, the body fights against infection and has poor healing. It will make the gums highly susceptible to infection, and if gum disease is present, then it will be even more difficult to keep blood sugar under control true Catch-22. Further, various studies have also noted that treatment of gum disease can help people suffering from diabetes control their level of blood sugar, showing how important regular dental care is to diabetics.
There is also an implication of oral health in respiratory health. The bacteria in the oral cavity can be aspirated into the lungs and cause infections, such as pneumonia, particularly in people who are immunocompromised or have a history of respiratory diseases. Periodontal disease was associated with an increased risk of COPD and pneumonia. Regular dental visits and good oral hygiene may decrease respiratory infection, especially in vulnerable populations such as the elderly.
Oral Health and Pregnancy
Pregnancy is another very important period regarding oral health. Changes in pregnancy hormones make a pregnancy woman more at risk of gum disease. This condition increases preterm birth and low birth weight. Pregnant women with periodontal disease are more likely to deliver prematurely and also to be in danger due to potential health problems for the newborn. Preventive dental visits throughout the course of pregnancy may eliminate gum diseases and contribute to a healthy pregnancy outcome.
Oral Health and Cognitive Function
Recently, Oral health and cognitive function have been more or less related. Indeed, there are studies where it has been proved that people with poor oral hygiene or suffering from periodontal disease are at a greater risk of developing cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. Inflammation due to gum disease might be involved in the development of cognitive decline, although much more research needs to be done to realize this connection. But good oral hygiene throughout life may also have some significant brain benefits.
The Importance of Dental Care
With such strong associations between oral health and general health, good dental hygiene and regular dental check-ups are of utmost importance. Here are the main measures to maintain perfect oral health:
Brush and Floss Daily: You have to brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day to loosen up the food particles caught between the teeth. Flossing daily can help eliminate plaque and interdental stuck food.
Regular Dental Check-ups: Regular dental check-ups for check-ups along with professional cleaning will help. The earlier the problem gets detected, the lesser the chances of it becoming grave.
Healthy Diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains supports oral health. Limit foods with added sugar and acid to prevent tooth decay and gum diseases.
Avoid Tobacco: Tobacco use in the form of smoking or otherwise increases the chances of gum disease and even cancer of the oral cavity. It is really a big way to improve health if he stops using tobacco.
Control Chronic Conditions: If you have conditions such as diabetes or heart disease, the effective management of such conditions goes a long way in reducing risks for related oral health problems.
Conclusion
Oral health is part of general health. The established links between oral health and systemic diseases also implicate the importance of regular dental care in heart diseases, diabetes, respiratory infections, and even dementia. Together with regular dental visits and a healthy lifestyle, healthy teeth and gums can prevent not only oral but also systemic diseases.
It’s more than a cosmetic concern good oral care is an integral part of your overall health. A healthy smile is an undervalued contributor to a body’s health.
Also Read: