Oral Health Effects on Overall Health

What is the relationship between general health and oral health?

Like other body parts, your mouth is home to bacteria—mostly harmless. Your mouth is the entry point to your digestive and respiratory tracts; some bacteria may cause diseases.

Your body’s natural defences and a good oral health routine, such as daily brushing and flossing, control bacteria.

However, if you neglect your oral health, bacteria can multiply and lead to infections like tooth decay and gum disease. This inflammation can spread throughout your body, not only in your mouth, and may even be a factor in more severe medical disorders.

The Role of Saliva in Oral Health

Saliva is crucial for preserving dental health. It protects against germs that grow and cause illness by neutralising acids made by oral bacteria and assisting in removing food particles.

Certain medicines, such as decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers, diuretics and antidepressants, can reduce saliva flow.

When saliva production decreases, the mouth becomes dry, and bacteria thrive more easily. Over time, this imbalance can contribute to dental problems and complications in overall health.

How Oral Health Affects General Health

The inflammation linked to gum disease (periodontitis) and oral bacteria may influence the development or severity of several conditions, especially when bacteria enter the bloodstream and spread.

Here are some major health conditions linked to poor oral health:

Endocarditis. This infection of the inner lining of your heart chambers occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of your body, such as your mouth, spread through the bloodstream and attach to specific areas in the heart.

Cardiovascular disease. Research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke might be related to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause.

Pregnancy and birth complications. Periodontitis has been associated with premature birth and low birth weight.

Pneumonia. Certain bacteria in your mouth can enter your lungs, causing pneumonia and other respiratory tract diseases.

Conditions That Impact Oral Health

Just as oral health can influence your overall well-being, certain health conditions can also impact the state of your mouth. These include:

• Diabetes. By reducing your body’s resistance to infection, diabetes risks your gums. Periodontal disease is more frequent and severe among people who have diabetes. People who have periodontal disease have a harder time controlling their blood sugar levels. Thus, regular periodontal care can improve diabetes control.
• HIV/AIDS. Oral problems, like mucosal lesions, are commonly present in people who have HIV/AIDS.
• Osteoporosis. This bone-weakening disease is related to periodontal bone and tooth loss. Certain drugs that are used to treat osteoporosis carry a risk of damage to the bones of the jaw.
• Alzheimer’s disease. Worsened oral health is seen as Alzheimer’s disease progresses.
• Other Conditions: Eating disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, certain cancers, and autoimmune diseases like Sjogren’s syndrome—which causes dry mouth—can also have direct effects on your oral health.

What You Can Do to Protect Your Oral Health

Protecting your oral health is one of the most effective ways to support your general health. By incorporating a few simple practices into your daily routine, you can help prevent problems before they start:

• Remember to brush your teeth two times a day with a soft brush and toothpaste containing fluoride.
• Floss each day to keep plaque and bits of food away from your teeth.
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash to remove food particles left after brushing and flossing.
• Maintain a healthy diet and limit food with added sugars.
• Change your toothbrush every 3 months or sooner if the bristles are worn or frayed.
• Visit your Cheltenham dentist for regular dental check-ups and cleanings.
• Avoid tobacco use products, which increase your risk of gum disease and oral cancers.
• Tell your dentist about any medicines you’re taking and changes in your general health, especially if you have chronic conditions such as diabetes.

Optimum Dental Care in Cheltenham

Your mouth is more than just a smile—it’s a window to your overall health. Good oral hygiene helps lower your chances of getting oral infections, improves your quality of life, and may contribute to a longer, healthier future.

At Dentist On Warrigal Cheltenham, we aim to promote optimum oral health to patients from Cheltenham and the surrounding areas.

Visit your dentist in Cheltenham to learn more about your oral health condition and how we can improve it.

Call us at (03) 9583 5506 for dental concerns and enquiries or make an online appointment.

We are located at Suite C, 151 Centre Dandenong Road in Cheltenham.