Introduction
Having and maintaining good oral health is more than just having straight teeth, and a bright white smile. Your oral health plays a pivotal role in your body's overall health. Did you know that one in five Australians have moderate-to-severe gum disease? Research across a range of studies has shown us that people with gum disease have a much higher risk heart attack.
Infections from untreated periodontal disease can cause blood sugar levels to rise, making it harder to control diabetes. These are just two points of how your oral health can affect your entire body, read on to find out more.
1. The Mouth as a Gateway to the Body:
Your mouth is home to a diverse community of around 700 species of microbes, including bacteria, fungi, and more. These microbes inhabit various areas of your mouth—some cling to your teeth, others reside on your tongue, and many settle in the spaces between your teeth and gums.
Good microbes play an essential role in digestion and help fend off harmful bacteria. However, certain habits can encourage the growth of bad microbes. Feeding these harmful microbes sugar can cause them to multiply rapidly, much like the creatures in the movie "Gremlins." The more sugar you consume (like feeding Mogwai after midnight), the more "Gremlins" you create. This leads to plaque buildup and tooth damage, which results in biofilm and inflammation in the gums, allowing bad bacteria to enter the bloodstream and affect your entire body.
The good news is, by maintaining a healthy diet, brushing and flossing regularly, and visiting your dentist, hygienist, or oral health therapist every six months, you can keep the balance of good and bad microbes in check, promoting better oral and overall health.
2. Gum Disease and Heart Health:
While gum disease itself isn't life-threatening, it can contribute to other serious health conditions. Although gum disease can't be cured, it can be effectively managed with proper treatment.
The harmful bacteria responsible for gum disease can cause blood vessels to narrow, increasing the risk of heart attacks. Inflammation from dental bacteria can also lead to infections of the heart lining, known as endocarditis.
Research shows that individuals with gum disease are up to 28% more likely to experience a heart attack compared to those without dental issues. Additionally, people with gum disease are three times more likely to suffer a stroke.
This doesn't mean that everyone with gum disease will develop heart problems, nor does it mean that all heart patients have gum disease. However, gum disease is certainly a contributing factor, and if you can reduce unnecessary inflammation and stress on your body, why wouldn’t you?
3. Oral Health and Diabetes:
There is a well-established two-way relationship between gum disease and diabetes.
Advanced gum disease (periodontitis) can impact blood glucose levels, making it harder to control. People with periodontitis tend to have poorer glycaemic control (higher HbA1C levels) compared to those without gum disease.
Additionally, individuals with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing periodontitis, especially when their blood sugar levels are not well-managed.
Since diabetes weakens the body’s ability to fight infections, including gum disease, managing both conditions becomes a dual challenge for diabetics—maintaining healthy gums while keeping blood glucose levels in check.
4. Respiratory Health and Oral Bacteria:
The link between periodontal disease and several respiratory conditions has been noted. Studies show that the mouth (oral cavity) plays a central role in the process of respiratory infections. Oral bacteria can be aspirated into the lung, causing aspiration pneumonia.
Gum disease can also worsen the lung inflammation for those who have Asthma and COPD.
Some of the medications prescribed to patients with lung disease can cause dry mouth, which in turn makes it easier to develop cavities and gum disease.
5. Pregnancy and Oral Health:
We've all heard the saying, "Gain a child, lose a tooth." While it's true that hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to gum disease, untreated gum disease can cause the loss of gum and bone that support your teeth, potentially leading to loose or lost teeth. Beyond that, severe gum disease has also been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
While certain dental procedures should definitely be avoided during the first three months of pregnancy, routine dental treatment (such as a check up and clean) is safe and highly recommended for your own wellbeing as well as your unborn child.
Maintaining good oral health practices, such as brushing and flossing at least once a day, and eating a nutritious diet will certainly be beneficial.
6. Oral Health and Alzheimer's Disease:
Research conducted by scientists at the U.S. National Institute on Aging suggests that the bacteria responsible for gum disease may be linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, including vascular dementia. Their studies found that older adults who showed signs of gum disease and oral infections at the start were more likely to develop Alzheimer’s during the study period.
Further research, with long-term follow-ups, is needed. The findings indicate that gum disease was present before dementia was diagnosed, but once dementia sets in, individuals may struggle with proper oral care like brushing and flossing.
In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, it’s particularly important to focus on preventive dental care. Regular dental check-ups, along with consistent brushing and flossing, can help avoid more invasive procedures later, which may be harder for patients to tolerate.
7. Other Surprising Links:
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA):
One of the main bacteria responsible for gum disease has been linked to earlier onset, faster progression, and increased severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Additionally, joint pain and stiffness from RA can make it more difficult for individuals to maintain proper oral hygiene, leading to a higher risk of developing gum disease. This creates a classic "chicken or the egg" dilemma—does RA contribute to gum disease, or does gum disease exacerbate RA?
It's believed that Hippocrates, often referred to as the Father of Western Medicine, once treated arthritis by extracting an infected tooth. Fortunately, modern dental treatments offer more effective and less invasive options, making tooth extraction unnecessary and not recommended today!
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Kidney disease:
While more research is needed to fully understand the connection between gum disease and kidney health, it has been shown that gum disease can elevate certain proteins in the blood that are linked to inflammation and kidney disease.
8. How to Maintain Good Oral Health for Overall Well-being:
In addition to regular dental check-ups, maintaining good oral health starts with your daily hygiene routine at home. This includes brushing with a soft-bristle toothbrush and flossing—ideally twice a day, but if you can only manage once, we strongly recommend doing it before bed.
A balanced diet is also key. Try to limit sugary and acidic foods and drinks. While we're not saying you can't indulge, everything in moderation is important. If you're going to have a sweet treat, it's better to enjoy it in one sitting rather than snacking throughout the day, as prolonged exposure to sugar can cause more damage.
Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption as well. Smoking reduces blood flow to the gums, increasing the risk of gum disease and often masking its symptoms. Smokers are three times more likely to develop gum disease than non-smokers. Nicotine can also reduce saliva production and change its consistency, making it harder to keep your mouth clean. Similarly, alcohol can dehydrate you, leading to dry mouth and an increased risk of tooth decay, as saliva plays a crucial role in protecting your teeth.
9. The Role of Preventive Care:
At Waterways Dental, our mission is to encourage every patient to take a proactive approach to their dental care. This means attending regular six-monthly check-ups and cleanings, maintaining a strong oral hygiene routine at home, and addressing any concerns early before they become bigger issues. By being proactive, our patients have a much better chance of keeping their natural teeth for life.
Conclusion:
Your oral health is deeply connected to your overall well-being. From heart disease and diabetes to respiratory issues and Alzheimer’s, the health of your mouth can have far-reaching impacts on the rest of your body. This highlights the importance of maintaining a good oral hygiene routine, eating a balanced diet, and staying on top of regular dental check-ups.
By taking a proactive approach to your dental care, you not only protect your teeth and gums but also support your long-term health. At Waterways Dental, we are committed to helping you achieve and maintain a healthy smile for life.