For decades, researchers have studied the connection between oral health and overall wellness. Periodontal diseases have been linked to high blood pressure, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, dementia, respiratory diseases, and more.1 Your dental habits and oral health, then, are even more important than you may realize!
In today’s blog post, let’s take a closer look at how oral health impacts your overall wellness.
To start, let’s discuss three key components of your oral health: germs (yep!), saliva flow, and inflammation. Like the rest of your body, your mouth is full of — mostly harmless — germs. However, the mouth is the entry to the respiratory tract and digestive tract, which means that these germs can spread to other areas of the body and lead to disease. Most of the time, the body’s immune system and natural defenses, along with daily brushing and flossing, keeps these germs under control. Without good oral hygiene habits, germs may lead to infections and cause gum disease and tooth decay.
It’s also important to consider what medications you take on a regular basis. Some medicines, like decongestants, antihistamines, antidepressants, and painkillers, can lower the flow of saliva. Saliva naturally washes away food and balances the acids in your mouth, which prevents germs from spreading and potentially leading to disease.
Lastly, oral swelling and irritation, known as inflammation, is linked to oral germs and severe gum disease, called periodontitis. Studies suggest that inflammation may be linked to certain diseases that decrease the body’s ability to fight infection, like diabetes and HIV/AIDS — which may, in turn, worsen oral health problems.
Once you break it down, it’s easy to see the connection between oral health and overall wellness!
Now, let’s consider what conditions are most often linked to oral health.
- Cardiovascular disease: Some studies suggest that clogged arteries, stroke, and heart disease (often co-occurring health issues) may be linked to the infections and inflammation caused by the germs in your mouth.
- Endocarditis: Endocarditis refers to an infection of the endocardium, or the inner lining of the heart’s chambers and valves. This condition most often occurs when germs from another part of the body — like the mouth — spread through the blood and reach the heart. Although it’s rare, it can be deadly.
- Pneumonia: If certain oral germs reach the lungs, it may lead to pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.
- Pregnancy and/or birth complications: Periodontitis has been linked to premature birth and/or low birth weight.
Additionally, existing health conditions may impact your oral health.
For instance, diabetes makes the body more at risk for infection, putting your gums at risk for gum disease. Individuals with HIV/AIDS also experience more oral problems, including painful mouth sores. Additionally, numerous cancers have been linked to gum disease, including cancers of the breast, gastrointestinal tract, mouth, uterus, and more. Other health conditions with possible links to oral health are Alzheimer’s disease, eating disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Given this two-way street of the connection between oral health and overall health, it’s crucial to talk to your dentist about the medications you take. You should also share any updates to your overall health, including recent illnesses or chronic conditions.
We hope you’ll choose Maitland Ave Smile Co. for your dental care!
Call us at 407.834.0330 to schedule your appointment today! Check out our Dental Blog to learn more about topics like your family’s dental routine, dental anxiety, and more.
References
- Sabbah W, Folayan MO, El Tantawi M. The Link between Oral and General Health. Int J Dent. 2019 May 29;2019:7862923. doi: 10.1155/2019/7862923. PMID: 31275387; PMCID: PMC6560319.