Smile Science: Why Oral Health Affects Your Whole Body

When thinking about your health, the first thing that comes to mind is probably your heart, injuries, or fitness. Unfortunately, too many people neglect their oral health because they’re unaware of the wide range of issues it can cause, both inside their mouth and around their body.

What is Oral Health and Why is it Important?

Oral health means the health of your mouth, including areas like the teeth and gums. If someone’s oral health isn’t as good as it could be, this can lead to various problems, including dental issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, and tooth loss. It can also affect day-to-day capabilities, like eating and speaking clearly, as well as creating potential discomfort. Many people don’t realise that neglecting their oral health can also affect the rest of their body. Let’s look at this more closely… 

How Can it Affect Your Whole Body?

By taking care of your oral health, you have a higher likelihood of avoiding issues like gum disease, but it also means you’re taking action to protect the rest of your body too. 

It’s Linked To Heart Disease 

Bad oral health can lead to gum disease, which causes inflammation. If this gets into the bloodstream and spreads around the body, it can reach the heart and increase the risk of heart disease. If bacteria from the mouth travels through the bloodstream, it can also affect other organs, which is one reason why looking after your oral health shouldn’t be ignored. 

It Can Worsen Symptoms of Diabetes 

If you have diabetes and also gum disease, this may affect your blood sugar levels. Inflammation can interfere with insulin, which is the hormone that helps regulate your blood sugar levels. This can create higher blood sugar levels and make them more difficult to control. 

Mental and Oral Health

There is a significant link between mental and oral health. Some people with mental health conditions neglect their oral hygiene. Depression can lead to not brushing your teeth, and anxiety can sometimes mean not attending regular dental check-ups. Likewise, poor oral health can also lead to mental health issues through factors like feeling self-conscious, as well as pain and discomfort. 

Pregnancy and Oral Health

If you’re pregnant, this can increase the chance of oral health problems. For example, your eating habits can change, and increased hormone levels, such as estrogen, can make your gums more susceptible to inflammation. This is something to watch out for, as it can form problems, like tooth decay and gum disease. Bacteria from these issues can be passed down to your baby during pregnancy and also after birth.

How Can You Protect And Look After Your Oral Health?

Your oral health won’t protect itself, and it’s important to take steps to avoid complications. 

Attend Regular Dentist Checkups

Scheduling a routine dental appointment once every six months means your dentist can flag any underlying concerns before they exacerbate. Without attending the dentist regularly, issues can go unnoticed and worsen, potentially leading to further complications. 

Brush Twice a Day and Remember to Floss

Brushing for at least two minutes twice a day can keep your mouth clean and keep bad bacteria away. It’s easy to forget to floss, but it’s important to do so as it removes food from places that your toothbrush can’t reach. 

Limit Sugary Foods and Drinks 

Bacteria feed on the sugar in your mouth, and this causes them to produce acids that erode tooth enamel. This is particularly problematic between meal times as it keeps your mouth in this acidic state for longer. 

Don’t Smoke     

Smoking increases the risk of dental problems, including stained teeth, gum disease, and tooth decay. After dental issues, those who smoke may also find that their healing takes longer. Smoking can sometimes make it more difficult to notice the signs that they may have gum disease. For example, gum disease can cause bleeding gums, but smoking decreases the blood flow to the gums. 

Final Thoughts

Looking after your oral health prevents dental issues, but also protects your whole body, which is why it’s so important not to neglect it. Hopefully this article has given you some helpful advice, but remember your dentist is there to provide guidance if you need it.

_

This article was written by Rosie Buckley, a freelance writer with a passion for writing and a love for exploring diverse topics. She enjoys diving into subjects close to her heart and bringing them to life through engaging, well-researched content.