By Meghan Belnap
You were taught as a child that brushing your teeth twice and flossing once daily will keep the sugar bugs away. You probably dreaded those semiannual visits to the dentist, and hearing that you had a cavity was both a bragging point and the worst news you’d ever heard.
It’s still true that brushing and flossing regularly is vital to oral health, of course, but scientific research has begun to connect oral health with other health issues too. Brushing your teeth is no longer just about preventing cavities or making your dentist happy—poor oral hygiene affects your entire body, and can lead to much more serious problems than an hour in the dentist’s chair.
Why Oral Health?
Why is your oral health so powerfully connected with other health issues? The answer is fairly simple: the mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body. Bacteria on the teeth or gums leads your mouth susceptible to infection. This in turn draws your immune system to fight that infection or inflammation, which leaves the rest of your body more vulnerable to other problems.
Gum Disease
Infections or inflammation in the gums can lead to gum disease like gingivitis or periodontitis. Periodontitis is a dangerous disease in which the gums pull back from the teeth, weakening the bone structure and causing painful swelling and increased inflammation. Gingivitis can sometimes lead to periodontitis if it is not cared for.If you think you may have a gum disease, make an appointment with your dentist immediately.
Diabetes
The connection between gum disease and diabetes is the strongest of all the correlations between mouth and body. If your gums are inflamed, your body has less ability to control your blood sugar, which can be highly dangerous for a diabetic. Inflammation will also decrease your body’s ability to use insulin.
Diabetes also affects gum disease. High blood sugar practically invites infection in your body, including your mouth. Regulating your blood sugar carefully will reduce the possibility of periodontitis, and taking care of your mouth will make it easier to control your blood sugar.
Heart Disease
According to the American Academy of Periodontology, people with periodontitis are nearly twice as likely to have heart disease. Gum disease also increases the risk for strokes.
Why is this?
One theory dictates that when you brush your teeth, bacteria is released into your blood stream. This bacteria can build up and form clots. The cleaner you keep your teeth, the cleaner you keep your blood stream.
Another theory involves inflammation—the body fights inflammation by sending chemicals into the bloodstream. These chemicals can also circulate and form plaque buildups in the arteries.
Other Problems
Other links from oral to overall health are not as established. Lung disease, osteoporosis, and even arthritis have all been tentatively connected to oral health, but the research is not as extensive as with heart disease and diabetes.
What Can You Do?
If you have a pre-existing condition, caring for your teeth properly is essential. It’s always important to maintain proper teeth-brushing habits, eat the right foods, avoid sugars and candies that stick to your teeth, and have regular dentist appointments, of course. But if you know that you have a history of heart problems or struggle with your blood sugar, take extra care.
Attend the dentist annually, if not semiannually. Dentist offices like Dentistry Plus will be able to tell you if you are at risk for gum diseases or what you can do to better care for your teeth. Oral care isn’t just about having a pretty smile (although that’s certainly part of it)—it’s about caring for the health of your entire body.