World Health Day is celebrated on April 7th every year to mark the anniversary of the World Health Organization. On World Health Day this year, I want to make you aware of the connection between your overall health and the health of your mouth. Did you know that oral health has been described as “a portal into the rest of the body”? Good oral health encourages good overall health, and the reverse is also true — 90% of diseases produce signs and symptoms in the mouth.
Your oral health has a huge effect on the rest of your body, but as a dentist, my job is to let you know that this couldn’t be further from the truth. Here are The Top Three Ways Dental Health Affects Your Overall Health:
- Dental Health and Your Heart
When a person has gum disease that means their mouth is full of bacteria that can be transferred into the rest of their body through their gums and mouth. Once these bacteria enter a person’s bloodstream, it inflames arteries and veins — which is a natural immune system response — and restricts blood flow in the heart, increasing a person’s risk of heart disease by as much as 20%. These same bacteria from inflamed gums and periodontal disease can also harden a person’s arteries and increase the development of artery wall plaque, resulting in cardiovascular disease.
- Dental Health and Your Lungs
During this time of COVID, a lot of us have focused on our respiratory health and doing everything we can to keep our lungs healthy. When we take care of our oral hygiene through daily brushing and flossing, we are cutting down on our risk of a serious respiratory infection. This is because every breath we take passes through our mouth and lungs and if we are constantly breathing in the bacteria associated with gum disease, we are passing those bacteria into our lungs. Poor oral hygiene is one of the paths that can increase a person’s risk of pneumonia.
3. Dental Health & Your Brain
Dementia is another condition that has been linked to oral health. A study conducted in the UK showed that chronic gum disease was found in the brains of 4 out of 10 people who had Alzheimer’s. The study theorized that gingivitis bacteria may affect our body’s immune response, and contribute to symptoms of dementia like confusion and neuron loss.
Do you see the connection between your mouth and your whole body yet? Besides the three connections I outlined above, poor dental hygiene can lead to a number of other systemic health problems. For example, inflamed gums may increase diabetic complications by making it more difficult to control blood sugar. Additionally, pregnant women with periodontal disease have a higher rate of premature births.
Celebrate World Health Day this year by committing to habits that encourage good overall health, beginning with your mouth. You can start by scheduling an oral exam and teeth cleaning at Aesthetic Dentistry of Bernardsville today!
Dr. Patti Swaintek-Lamb, Aesthetic Dentistry of Bernardsville – Dr. Swaintek- Lamb isn’t like ordinary dentists – she uses her knowledge gained from her education and experience to work to ensure that her patients have both dental and whole-body health. She welcomes all patients in and around Somerset County.