Did you know that your oral health can give you a good indication of how good your health is? Your mouth can affect the balance of your body, so good oral health is absolutely vital. Read on to learn more about how oral and general health go hand in hand and how this can affect your overall well-being.
What’s The Link Between Oral Health & Overall Health?
Let’s start at the beginning. Firstly, we know that mouths are the entry point to the digestive tract, so all food and drink travels from the mouth down the esophagus and into the digestive system. This means germs entering the mouth can result in oral diseases or digestive issues. In the same light, we also breathe through our mouths, and bacteria or germs can enter through them and travel into the rest of the body, sometimes causing respiratory diseases.
There’s no doubt the link between oral and overall health is direct. This is why sometimes the body’s best defence is good oral hygiene. Adding good oral health practices to your daily routine can keep germs under control, reduce the chance of oral infection, and prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease (commonly known as gum disease). This is crucial as gum disease can become the start of other diseases in the body, such as heart issues. Brushing and flossing twice daily is a great start to establishing good oral hygiene.
An additional element to consider when talking about how oral health and overall health are linked is saliva. If you are prescribed certain medications like antihistamines, water pills, or painkillers, ingesting these pills could slow saliva production and produce a dry mouth. This could cause concern as saliva plays a big part in washing away food and preventing bacteria from developing.
What Conditions Can Be Linked To Oral Health?
Oral health plays a significant part in ensuring your overall health is in check and continues to stay good for years to come. Research suggests poor oral health can affect the following conditions:
- Cardiovascular or heart disease
- Pregnancy and birth complications
- Pneumonia
- Respiratory infections
What Health Conditions Can Impact Your Oral Health?
Certain existing and common conditions or diseases may affect how good or poor your oral health is. They include:
Medications: Some prescribed medications may reduce saliva production and result in dry mouth, increasing the likelihood of gum disease.
Diabetes: Poor blood glucose control can lead to many complications in the mouth, such as periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay, and dry mouth.
Hormonal imbalance: A person who is pregnant or going through puberty or menopause may have hormonal imbalances. High estrogen levels increase the risk of swollen and bleeding gums, often resulting in gum disease.
Why Prevention & Education Are So Critical
Did you know that 96% of Canadian adults have a history of dental cavities? Practicing prevention strategies is absolutely key in today’s age. Education helps avoid oral health problems and allows people to actively think about integrating oral health into their daily routines, thereby improving overall health.
At Saskatoon Dental House, our dentists believe in educating patients, whether children or adults, about understanding all the possible risks of poor oral health. Sharing safe oral health practices with patients is critical, but the value comes from tailoring oral hygiene routines to people based on their individual age and profile. For example, a 10-year-old child may have a different oral education program than an older adult or someone with special oral care needs. We believe that oral health and general well-being are integral, and we tailor our dental practice to each individual we care for.
Speak With A Dentist At Saskatoon’s Dental House To Gain Further Insights
Maintaining good oral health not only prevents things like gum disease and poor oral hygiene but also positively affects your overall health and well-being. We suggest starting your fitness regime with a healthy mouth, which will lead to a healthy body and ultimately improve your overall mind-body wellness.
If you’d like to learn more about how your oral health affects your overall health, contact your dentist in Saskatoon for a full consultation. Be sure to let them know key information about your oral hygiene routines, any medications you’re on, and your general lifestyle. All this information can help your dentist create the best oral health plan for you and your body.