Oral health affects total health. Is your mouth healthy?

Oral health refers to the condition of gums, teeth, and the surrounding bone and soft tissues of the mouth. Good oral health is an important part of general health and wellbeing. It also allows people to eat, speak, smile and socialise without discomfort or embarrassment. You can't have a healthy body without a healthy mouth. 

Gum disease, also known as gingivitis in its early stages, occurs when bacteria accumulate in tooth plaque, causing inflammation, receding and bleeding gums. Untreated gingivitis might progress to the more serious form, periodontitis or periodontal disease. This can lead to abscesses and tooth loss.

Regular dental screenings not only help decrease your risk of oral health problems but also may help to diagnose other, serious medical conditions such as diabetes and oral cavity cancer. Oral cavity cancer (OCC) is amongst the most prevalent cancers worldwide accounting for an estimated 350 000 new cases and 177 000 deaths in 2018. Incidence rates are higher in men than in women.

During a simple, quick screening your dentist will examine the oral cavity as a whole and not just the teeth. Dentists can see changes in the condition of all the tissues in one’s mouth and on the tongue and will also feel the floor of the mouth and portions of the back of the throat, in the search for signs of OCC, such as sores, lumps, red and white patches, pain, numbness and more. 

The ability to detect cancer at the earliest stages, improve the survival rate of this disease, and allow for less disfiguring ways to address the tumors and lesions associated with oral cancer.

While it is common knowledge that poor oral health can cause cavities, periodontal disease, and bad breath, it can also lead to other serious health complications. Although there isn’t yet a clear cause-and-effect between gum disease and other health conditions there is enough of a connection that one should exercise a bit of caution. One thing is clear: controlling gum disease can save your teeth. It might just save your life.

Here’s a look at the most common connections between oral health and total health.

Cardiovascular Disease

Research indicated that there may be a link between heart disease, stroke and periodontal disease although there is no conclusive evidence directly linking them. The presence of common oral health problems including gum disease, cavities and missing teeth, were as good at predicting cardiovascular disease as cholesterol levels. The possible link suggested, is oral bacteria. According to the researchers, oral bacteria enter the bloodstream and stick to platelets, which forms blood clots that interrupts the flow of blood to the heart and might ultimately lead to a heart attack.

Pancreatic Cancer

In 2007, a research team from the Harvard School of Public Health, found a very strong link between periodontal disease and pancreatic cancer. Their analysis revealed that there was a 64% greater chance of men developing pancreatic cancer if they had a history of gum disease compared to those who didn’t. This research team also found that the greatest risk of developing pancreatic cancer was in those men who had a recent tooth loss.

Diabetes

Research studies have found a link between periodontal disease and diabetes. Diabetes symptoms often appear in the mouth and almost 1 in 3 people with diabetes have severe periodontal dis¬ease. Severe periodontal disease may increase the risk of developing diabe¬tes and may make it more difficult to manage blood sugar levels. Diabetes can impair blood flow to the gums, which makes them more susceptible to infections. Additionally, higher glucose levels in the mouth encourage bacterial growth. People with diabetes who have their periodontal disease treated typically have healthcare costs 20 to 40 percent lower than those who don’t, as they may be able to control their diabetes with less insulin. 

Your dentist will be able to detect symptoms of diabetes during routine oral health screenings. Dry mouth, bleeding gums, cavities, fruity breath and thick saliva are tell-tale signs of diabetes. And, diabe¬tics often lose more teeth compared to patients without this disease.

Alzheimer’s Disease

The key oral bacteria that is associated with chronic gum disease, Porphyromonas gingivalis have been implicated as a cause of dementia. Multiple teams of researchers studying P. gingivalis, established startling linkages between gum inflammation and Alzheimer’s disease. Teams found that P. gingivalis invades and inflames brain regions of mice genetically engineered to have Alzheimer’s. Bacteria have been found in the brains of people who had Alzheimer’s when they were alive, but not in those who didn’t have it. They also detected the bacterium’s DNA in spinal fluid taken from living Alzheimer’s patients. Researchers questioned whether the bacteria caused the disease or were only able to enter the brains damaged by Alzheimer’s. Doctors state that gum disease-causing bacteria are capable of motion and are often found in the brain tissue. Future studies need to be in humans to be convincing. Researchers are working on a vaccine, but it might be decades before it becomes available. 

Pregnancy

Periodontal disease in pregnant women has been linked to increased risk of premature birth and low birth weight.

How can I protect my oral health? In short, listen to your dentist:

•    Brush your teeth at least twice a day

•    Floss every day.

•    Don’t smoke or vape.

•    Visit the dentist regularly for a check-up and professional cleaning.

Remember, taking care of your oral health is an investment in your overall health as it serves as a window to your overall wellbeing. 

Sources and References Consulted or Utilised

www.newscientist.com

www.healthline.com

https://www.dmsmiles.com/blog/why-maintaining-a-good-dental-hygiene-is-important/

https://www.cansa.org.za/files/2019/06/Fact-Sheet-on-Cancer-of-the-Mouth-NCR-2014-web-June-2019.pdf