Bridge between General and Dental Health

Can your dental or oral health affect your overall well being? Well to state it simply, YES. Dental health is essential to overall health and well-being at every stage of life. Good oral and dental hygiene helps to prevent tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath. In contrast to this, poor oral hygiene increases the risk of systemic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, low birth weight, bacterial pneumonia, diabetes, thyroid, AIDS, blood disorders. These diseases can lower the body resistance to infection making periodontal diseases more severe. Yes, there is a bridge between General and Dental. Health

Your mouth can show signs of your overall health

Your teeth, gums, tongue and saliva can sometimes give early clues about your general health. Bleeding gums may be linked with gum disease, uncontrolled diabetes, poor oral hygiene or certain medicines. Dry mouth may happen due to dehydration, stress, ageing or medication. Mouth ulcers, burning, pale gums, swelling or loose teeth should not be ignored if they keep returning. A dental check-up helps identify whether the problem is only local or whether medical evaluation is also needed.

Dental health and systemic disease: What patients should understand

Poor oral health does not mean a patient will definitely develop heart disease, diabetes complications, cancer or stroke. However, long-term gum infection, poor hygiene, tobacco use and uncontrolled medical conditions can affect healing, immunity and inflammation. This is why dentists ask about medical history, medicines, blood reports and habits before planning treatment. A healthy mouth supports better chewing, nutrition, confidence and overall wellbeing.

Poor Oral Health and bacteria

Bacteria in the mouth causes infection in other parts of the body. Poor oral health can lead to risk for heart and gum diseases. Inflamed gums causes periodontal diseases wherein the bacteria can get into the arteries causing the arteries to dental health build up plaque and harden. This can lead to heart attacks, stroke, poorly controlled diabetes and pre-term labour. Poor or fair oral hygiene can develop an oral infection with human papilloma virus which can eventually lead to cancer. 

Role of General and Dental Health

Oral health is one of the important aspects for the overall well being of a person. Poor oral health is common in parkinsons patient. Symptoms include increased prevalence of gingivitis, dental caries, periodontal diseases, xerostomia, orofacial pain, burning mouth syndrome. Dental hygiene is important to keep diseases at bay.

Diabetes and gum disease affect one another. Gum diseases intensify because the complications associated with diabetes by increasing blood sugar level. People with diabetes face greater risks of developing oral infections and gum diseases than to those who dont diabetes. Tooth decay, dry mouth, gum disease, fungal infections, lesions in the mouth, taste impairment, infection and delayed healing, some common oral health problems associated with diabetes. 

Thyroid and Oral Health

Common oral findings in hypothyroidism include the characteristics of enlarged tongue, delayed tooth eruption, poor periodontal health, altered tooth morphology and delayed wound healing. Oral manifestations of hyperthyroidism include: susceptibility to caries, periodontal disease, enlargement of extra glandular thyroid tissue which is mainly in lateral posterior tongue, maxillary or mandibular osteoporosis, accelerated dental eruptions and burning mouth syndrome. 

If your blood reports show an increase or decrease in the thyroid hormone levels one should notify their dentist before undergoing any dental treatment.

Other common symptom of anaemia is paleness in the gums which take on a faded or even whiter shades of normal colour. This skin color like, can also affect tongue, and mucous membrane inside the mouth. Effect of anaemia on oral tissues include pain in tongue, paleness of tongue, swollen tongue or glossitis. Poor dental hygiene may also increase the risk of oral cancer. 

Smoking – Dental and General Health

It is recommended that smoking patients should be following a successful smoking cessation program before the surgical procedures are implemented. In patients with Parkinsons; it is difficult to maintain oral hygiene due to factors such as motor impairment, apathy, depression and dementia. Due to this the food which, not cleaned properly which in turn provides nutrition for bacteria leading to decay.

Dental Care is Important for General Health

Good dental care reduces the risk of other diseases, and overall poor dental hygiene can cause other health issues. Some of the key problems that can occur if you do not take care of your teeth and gums are tooth decay and gum disease. Both of these problems can lead to tooth loss and other complications. Gum disease can also cause infections in your body.

A growing body of evidence has linked oral health, particularly periodontal (gum) disease, to several chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. In pregnant women, poor oral health has also been associated with premature births and low birth weight.

Good Dental Care reduces risk of Diseases

1. Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time. 
2. Use a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste.
3. Floss daily.
4. Use mouthwash to remove food particles left after brushing and flossing.
5. Eat a healthy diet and limit sugary food and drinks.
6. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if bristles are splayed or worn.
7. Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings with your dentist.
8. Avoid tobacco and smoking.

Conclusion

Dental Pain in Pregnancy causes several hormonal changes in a women’s body. There is direct link between pregnancy and effect on periodontal disease and vice-versa. Read more about visiting dentist during pregnancy. It is important to keep your dentist up to date on your health and medications. A dentist has the skill and the expertise not only to treat oral health diseases but to help with all oral health needs. Dental procedures involving bleeding of the gums require healthy blood clotting for recovery. Conditions such as liver disease and medications such as aspirin  may affect the ability of blood to clot normally. 

Emerging medical problems detected by the dentist. For example onset of bleeding of gums begins gum disease which could be related to adult onset diabetes!