A healthy mouth mirrors a healthy body. Oral health can no longer be viewed in isolation and is not confined to the mouth.
Our general health is influenced by our oral health in numerous ways. At Dental Creations, a trusted dental clinic in Matunga, we emphasize the importance of oral health as a key component of overall wellness. Dental disease does contribute to systemic diseases and serious health conditions.
The Mouth and Body Connection
The human body is colonized by 100 trillion symbiotic organisms, of which the oral cavity is home to the second highest number of microbes, the gastrointestinal tract being the first. The human mouth harbours more than 770 bacterial species.9 This explains why, if an infection in the mouth is left untreated, it can enter the blood vessels and get carried to other distant parts of the body.
Impact of Oral Health on General Health
Oral health is an important indicator of overall health and wellness. The oral cavity, along with the teeth, plays an important role in kick- starting the first stage of digestion and ensuring overall nutrition received by the body. Chronic and acute illnesses have an effect on oral health and vice versa.
- Natural teeth or replacements for missing teeth ensure good chewing and a good diet and subsequent good nutrition for the body.
- Missing teeth are associated with poor appearance and chewing that affect eating, speaking, and the overall confidence of a person.
- Habits like smoking have a detrimental effect on oral and systemic health and can be a predisposing factor for conditions like oral cancer. Our team at Dental Creations guides patients on lifestyle changes to improve oral and systemic health.
Take charge of your oral health today! Schedule a comprehensive dental check-up with our expert team and ensure your overall well-being.
Health Conditions That Can Be Caused Due to Poor Oral Health
Various changes in the oral cavity are indicators of underlying systemic conditions or diseases. Changes in the colour of the tongue, appearance of white patches or coatings on the tongue, ulcers, swollen and bleeding gum and loose teeth are some of the manifestations of systemic diseases.
Cardiovascular Disease
Gum disease causes inflammation of the gums. This can result in the bacteria entering the bloodstream. The thickening of arteries caused by inflammation of blood vessels increases the risk of strokes or heart attacks in patients.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Researchers have found a correlation between poor oral health and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).1 AD is a nerve disorder that is characterized by memory loss along with various behavioral changes.
Diabetes
It is characterised by the body’s inability to regulate blood glucose levels. It affects all organs of the body, including the oral cavity. Diabetic patients are more prone to gum disease, infections, dry mouth, and slow healing after dental procedures.
Respiratory Diseases
Poor dental hygiene increases oral bacteria, which can spread to the lungs, causing inflammation and a higher risk of infections like pneumonia.4 The bacteria secrete certain enzymes which make the lung mucosa susceptible to infections like influenza, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma.
Cancer
Cancer is caused by various genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors.2 Many oral conditions too are predisposing factors for oral cancer. Alcohol, tobacco, betel nuts, HPV, gum disease, and tooth loss raise oral cancer risk, with poor oral health being a major factor.
Impact of Oral Health on General Health
Simple preventive measures implemented on a daily basis can prevent the onset of chronic health conditions.
-
- Get a complete dental check-up done annually along with a health check-up.
- Get an oral prophylaxis done once in six months to ensure that the gums and supporting tissues are healthy.
- If you have chronic dental pain or notice any inflammation or a cavity, get it checked by a dentist immediately. You may be required to take x-rays too.
- Ensure you have a healthy diet that includes whole foods, fruits, and vegetables. The majority of your meals should be home- cooked and minimize eating out as much as possible.
- If you are diabetic, monitor your blood sugar levels regularly and get regular dental check-ups.
- If you notice that you suffer from bad breath, get it checked by your dentist and investigate the cause.
- Be mindful of informing your dentist if you are on certain medication.
- If you notice any white patches in your mouth, schedule a dental visit and get it checked immediately.
- Limit intake of alcohol and tobacco.
- Any clicking of the jaw, grinding of teeth, or mouth breathing should be reported to your dentist.
The mouth is an integral part of your body and should not be viewed in isolation.
The correlation between gum disease and heart health has also been established. Monitoring oral health closely will help us prevent systemic diseases in the long run.
Establish a dental routine that is easy to follow and implement on a daily basis. After all, a healthy mouth is synonymous with a healthy body.
Your oral health is the gateway to a healthier life. Don’t wait for symptoms—prioritize prevention! Contact us for a personalized consultation and professional dental care
References
- Mahuli, A.V., Sagar, V., Kumar, A., Mahuli, S.A. and Kujur, A., 2023. A systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the role of oral health as a risk factor in oral cancer. Cureus, 15(5).
- Ghanem, A.S. and Nagy, A.C., 2024. Oral health’s role in diabetes risk: a cross-sectional study with sociodemographic and lifestyle insights. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 15, p.1342783.
- Imai, K., Iinuma, T. and Sato, S., 2021. Relationship between the oral cavity and respiratory diseases: Aspiration of oral bacteria possibly contributes to the progression of lower airway inflammation. Japanese Dental Science Review, 57, pp.224-230.
- Igbinosa, L.O., Evbuomwan, R., Okoromu, M.A. and Osarenkhoe, U.S., 2023. Oral health: a doorway to general well-being. In Human Teeth-From Function to Esthetics. IntechOpen.
- Hung, M., Moffat, R., Gill, G., Lauren, E., Ruiz‐Negrón, B., Rosales, M.N., Richey, J. and Licari, F.W., 2019. Oral health as a gateway to overall health and well‐being: surveillance of the geriatric population in the United States. Special Care in Dentistry, 39(4), pp.354-361.
- Block, C., König, H.H. and Hajek, A., 2022. Oral health and quality of life: findings from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. BMC Oral Health, 22(1), p.606.
- James, A., Janakiram, C., Meghana, R.V., Kumar, V.S. and Sagarkar, A.R., 2023. Impact of oral conditions on oral health-related quality of life among Indians-a systematic review and Meta-analysis. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 21(1), p.102.
- Kitamoto, S., Nagao-Kitamoto, H., Hein, R., Schmidt, T.M. and Kamada, N., 2020. The bacterial connection between the oral cavity and the gut diseases. Journal of dental research, 99(9), pp.1021-1029.