Did you know that the mouth acts as a window to your overall health?
It sounds impossible, but the condition of your mouth impacts your general health. This relationship is bi-directional.
If there is poor oral health it could contribute to disease in the body or if there is disease in the body, it could manifest in the mouth. So, the condition of your teeth and gums could influence your heart, diabetes and even your brain health.
To expand further, the mouth is home to about 700 microorganisms, which would include bacteria and fungi, which are referred to as the oral microbiome.
When all of these are in a balance, there is general good health. But when there is an imbalance, it may contribute to disease.
Here are 10 examples:
1. Heart disease
Heart disease or stroke is the number one cause of death around the world. In South Africa, heart disease accounts for almost a fifth of all deaths, yet 80% is preventable.
Research has shown us that gum disease or periodontitis may place you at risk for heart disease. Inflammation present during gum disease could also contribute to the formation of ‘plaques’ in the blood vessels, resulting in narrowing of the arteries.
2. Diabetes
In South Africa, it is estimated that one out of 11 adults are living with Diabetes Mellitus (32 million) and, of those, a third remains undiagnosed. Patients living with diabetes are three times more likely to develop gum disease. Similarly, patients with gum disease could experience difficulty in controlling their blood sugar.
Diabetic patients will also experience more jaw bone loss, abscess (gumboil) formation and poor healing. Management includes the mechanical removal of plaque (scaling/cleaning) and the use of oral antibiotics prescribed by your dentist.
3. Respiratory conditions
If you are suffering from respiratory conditions, bacteria can be aspirated into the lungs. This is usually seen in vulnerable patients such as elderly patients or those living with Tuberculosis or Human Immunodeficiency virus syndrome.
4. Pregnancy
Expecting mothers usually experience gum disease. The changes in the gum that may occur during pregnancy are related to fluctuating hormone levels.
The hormones cause the small blood vessels or capillaries to dilate and result in gum inflammation. In addition, the micro-organisms also change and may trigger inflammatory responses throughout the body. Pre-term low birth weight infants are an obstetric complication of gum disease.
5. Nutrition
A good balanced diet is important to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. If you are experiencing problems with your mouth, it may impact on your ability to eat a good balanced diet resulting in nutritional deficiencies which are related to poor general health.
6. Alzheimer disease
Alzheimer disease is characterised by impairment in thinking, memory and language and learning. Recent studies have suggested that there is a link between the inflammation present during gum disease and Alzheimer disease. This is also a bi-directional relationship-meaning that patients with Alzheimer’s may experience difficulty in maintaining good oral hygiene, and so, they have an increased risk of gum disease; and patients with gum disease may indirectly increase their risk of Alzheimer disease.
7. Osteoporosis
In osteoporosis, there is an imbalance between bone loss and bone formation. While conclusive evidence is still needed, this may affect the bone density in the jawbone and could lead to changes resulting in gum disease.
8. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Gum disease is often seen in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, and they may experience tooth loss and jaw bone loss.
9. Chronic Kidney disease
The evidence is mounting for the bi-directional relationship between gum disease and chronic kidney disease. Research has shown that patients with gum disease are more likely to develop chronic kidney disease, and patients with low kidney function are prone to gum disease.
10. Cancers
There are findings from research that suggest an increased risk of cancer if you have gum disease.
The benefits of good health are well documented and include all aspects of health. Chronic health conditions place a massive burden on individuals and their families, as well as on the healthcare system.
Maintaining good oral health is therefore essential for good general health.
Ensure that you share your complete medical history with your dentist and disclose all the medications you are currently taking, as some medications may affect your mouth.
Here are some points to help you maintain good oral health:
If there is poor oral health it could contribute to disease in the body or if there is disease in the body, it could manifest in the mouth. So, the condition of your teeth and gums could influence your heart, diabetes and even your brain health.
To expand further, the mouth is home to about 700 microorganisms, which would include bacteria and fungi, which are referred to as the oral microbiome.
When all of these are in a balance, there is general good health. But when there is an imbalance, it may contribute to disease.
Here are 10 examples:
1. Heart disease
Heart disease or stroke is the number one cause of death around the world. In South Africa, heart disease accounts for almost a fifth of all deaths, yet 80% is preventable.
Research has shown us that gum disease or periodontitis may place you at risk for heart disease. Inflammation present during gum disease could also contribute to the formation of ‘plaques’ in the blood vessels, resulting in narrowing of the arteries.
2. Diabetes
In South Africa, it is estimated that one out of 11 adults are living with Diabetes Mellitus (32 million) and, of those, a third remains undiagnosed. Patients living with diabetes are three times more likely to develop gum disease. Similarly, patients with gum disease could experience difficulty in controlling their blood sugar.
Diabetic patients will also experience more jaw bone loss, abscess (gumboil) formation and poor healing. Management includes the mechanical removal of plaque (scaling/cleaning) and the use of oral antibiotics prescribed by your dentist.
3. Respiratory conditions
If you are suffering from respiratory conditions, bacteria can be aspirated into the lungs. This is usually seen in vulnerable patients such as elderly patients or those living with Tuberculosis or Human Immunodeficiency virus syndrome.
4. Pregnancy
Expecting mothers usually experience gum disease. The changes in the gum that may occur during pregnancy are related to fluctuating hormone levels.
The hormones cause the small blood vessels or capillaries to dilate and result in gum inflammation. In addition, the micro-organisms also change and may trigger inflammatory responses throughout the body. Pre-term low birth weight infants are an obstetric complication of gum disease.
5. Nutrition
A good balanced diet is important to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. If you are experiencing problems with your mouth, it may impact on your ability to eat a good balanced diet resulting in nutritional deficiencies which are related to poor general health.
6. Alzheimer disease
Alzheimer disease is characterised by impairment in thinking, memory and language and learning. Recent studies have suggested that there is a link between the inflammation present during gum disease and Alzheimer disease. This is also a bi-directional relationship-meaning that patients with Alzheimer’s may experience difficulty in maintaining good oral hygiene, and so, they have an increased risk of gum disease; and patients with gum disease may indirectly increase their risk of Alzheimer disease.
7. Osteoporosis
In osteoporosis, there is an imbalance between bone loss and bone formation. While conclusive evidence is still needed, this may affect the bone density in the jawbone and could lead to changes resulting in gum disease.
8. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Gum disease is often seen in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, and they may experience tooth loss and jaw bone loss.
9. Chronic Kidney disease
The evidence is mounting for the bi-directional relationship between gum disease and chronic kidney disease. Research has shown that patients with gum disease are more likely to develop chronic kidney disease, and patients with low kidney function are prone to gum disease.
10. Cancers
There are findings from research that suggest an increased risk of cancer if you have gum disease.
The benefits of good health are well documented and include all aspects of health. Chronic health conditions place a massive burden on individuals and their families, as well as on the healthcare system.
Ensure that you share your complete medical history with your dentist and disclose all the medications you are currently taking, as some medications may affect your mouth.
Here are some points to help you maintain good oral health:
- Brush your teeth twice daily with a fluoridated toothpaste.
- Floss daily to remove food between teeth.
- Use a mouthwash to reduce bacteria in the mouth.
- Visit your oral health professional for regular check-ups.
- Avoid tobacco use and limit alcohol consumption.
- Eat a well-balanced diet with fruit, vegetables and whole grains.
- Stay hydrated.
