April is Dental Health Month
In recognition of Dental Health Month we are reminding you that your mouth is a mirror to your overall health. Oral health is not only important to your appearance and sense of well being, but also to your general health. Few of us know that dental problems have consequences that extend far beyond the mouth. For many people, a dental visit is just about getting their teeth cleaned, or getting a cavity filled. However, a dental visit is not just about your teeth. What goes on in your mouth can affect the rest of your body.
Dental problems arise as a result of poor oral hygiene. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums, which may affect the bone supporting the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly builds up, thickens and hardens, resulting n tartar. Tartar provides an environment for bacteria to grow over time. Eventually this presence of bacteria may result in an infection that can lead to conditions such as root decay and periodontal disease. If left untreated the infection enters the bloodstream, which is when further complications may occur. SUCH AS:
HEART DISEASE
Harmful oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream and attach to fatty plaques already present in the arteries of the body. This increases the formation of blood clots that result in thrombosis. These bacteria can also reach the chambers of the heart where they get lodged and start an infection. Over time, this infection produces growths that break off into the bloodstream and attach to other critical organs, resulting in generalized infections.
DIABETES
People with diabetes are more susceptible to gum disease, which can create a risk of diabetic complications. Dental problems result in the production of cytokines, which increases the body’s resistance to insulin and make blood sugar difficult to control. Diabetes, on the other hand, can reduce the capacity of the body to heal itself and may increase the likelihood of dental infections and abscesses.
RESPIRATORY DISEASE
Several studies have suggested an association between plaque and poor oral hygiene with lung disease. The bacteria in plaque can travel from the mouth to the lungs, causing infection or aggravating existing lung conditions. Plaque can serve as a reservoir of bacteria, contributing to infections of the respiratory tract, like nasocomial pneumonia. This mainly occurs in hospitalized patients or institutionalized elderly persons and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
LOW BIRTH WEIGHT BABIES
Internal infections in pregnant women, originating from the mouth, have been known to be a factor in low birth weight and premature birth. Cytokines produced during infections cause the production of the hormones prostaglandin. This hormone acts as a trigger for labor and results in premature birth. Pregnant women with oral infections have up to 7 times greater risk of giving birth to a premature baby than those with a healthy oral cavity.
Other conditions that have been linked to oral hygiene include Alzheimer’s disease, Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoporosis. To help you maintain good oral health and increase your quality of life, please refer to the suggestions below.
MINIMIZING YOUR RISK
• Brush and floss your teeth daily, and use an antimicrobial mouth rinse.
• Visit your dental professional regularly to have your mouth examined.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• If you are pregnant, be sure to eat healthy foods and maintain your oral health.
• Do not smoke.
• Brush your children’s teeth for them, until they are able to write (not print) their own name.
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