Viva Vitality: The connection between oral health and overall health

By Jenna Lannan on November 15, 2019.

When people think about their oral health, they often see it as a separate entity from the rest of the body; but infection that occurs in the mouth could be an indication of what is going on within the rest of the body. It is important to protect yourself by learning about the implications poor oral hygiene can have on the body.

With good oral hygiene (twice-a-day brushing and nightly flossing) the bacteria is kept under control and is mostly harmless. Also, visiting your dentist and dental hygienist on a regular basis will help keep you healthy. When oral hygiene gets put off tooth decay, infection and periodontal disease can cause harmful bacteria to be spread around the body

Lets take a look at just a few of the conditions can be linked to oral health:

Endocarditis: Plaque from the foods we eat, if it is not brushed off, can cause gum inflammation and periodontal (gum) disease. Bacteria from these conditions can enter the blood stream and attack the inner lining of your heart chamber or valves. This harmful bacteria sticks to surfaces and can cause an infection in the heart known as endocarditis.

Cardiovascular disease: Research shows that if a person has periodontal disease they are more likely to have a heart disease. It is for this reason that the American Heart Association has acknowledged the connection between the two. It is proven that harmful bacteria in the mouth from plaque may over time cause narrowing of arteries and other heart conditions

Pregnancy and birth complications: A study in the Journal of Periodontology links mothers with periodontal disease to having more preterm low birth weight babies. Harmful bacteria in the mouth can enter into the bloodstream and eventually to the fetus. There has been a link to this bacteria and premature babies. Pregnancy hormones do not cause this harmful bacteria, and with good oral hygiene habits this can be avoided.

Respiratory disease: Due to the fact that the mouth is part of the respiratory tract, bacteria can be transported to the lungs and cause pneumonia and other respiratory infections and diseases.

Diabetes: Diabetes lowers people’s ability to fight infections. People with diabetes are at high risk for gum disease because of their inability to heal quickly. Without frequent dental cleanings and good oral hygiene people with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease. It is also shown that people who do have periodontal disease have a harder time controlling their blood sugars. Dental cleaning should occur every three months to ensure that this does not become a problem.

There are many other conditions that are linked to poor oral hygiene. It is important to keep up with good oral hygiene and frequent dental visits throughout our entire lives.

Jenna Lannan is a Registered Dental Hygienist with Alberta Health Services, and can be reached via email, jenna.lannan@ahs.ca