Overview
Who doesn’t enjoy a set of shiny, white teeth and pink gums free of irritation? Our society values healthy smiles as something that creates a sense of approachability and a sign of good health.
However, most people don’t connect just how profoundly oral health is intertwined with the rest of the body.
And with research continuing to establish strong correlations between good oral hygiene and overall health, it’s never been more apparent to see these connections.
Add in the fact that around 90 percent of US adults have some form of gum disease,[1] and it becomes clear that paying more attention to dental care is not just a means to a healthy smile but a realistic path to disease prevention and overall health.
Bacteria Can Pose a Risk to Your Health
At the heart of the matter are those microscopic passengers in our bodies called bacteria. It must be pointed out that most bacteria living alongside us benefit the human body. Still, some can pose an inconvenience and sometimes even danger.
Our mouths are the first step in our bodies obtaining energy through food.
The complex digestion process starts in the mouth, with saliva beginning to break down the food we ingest. But with this food and drink intake comes a lot of bacteria and our mouths host around 700 species![2]
Our oral structures are part of our respiratory system as well. So, any bacteria that finds its way into our mouths can affect our throats and lungs.
Bacteria from oral infections can enter the bloodstream or airways and move to other body parts, worsening or increasing the risk of other health issues.
Here are some examples of specific body areas that these small, powerful foes can impact.
1) Heart
Periodontal (gum) disease is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease.[3] This connection occurs because the bacteria that cause the gum condition have been shown to contribute to plaque accumulation in and clogging of the arteries, thereby causing atherosclerosis.
This already dangerous situation is further compounded by the possibility of plaque loosening and traveling to the heart, which can cause heart attacks.
The same bacterial effect can also cause infective endocarditis – a severe inflammation of the interior lining of the heart and heart valves that can even lead to death if not treated.[2]
Doctors are advised to screen patients with heart valve disease for gum disease as the bacteria traveling from the mouth via the bloodstream can cause infections in this region.[4] People who have artificial heart valves are especially vulnerable.[4]
2) Stroke
Inflammation of the blood vessels caused by oral bacteria from cavities or gum issues can cause blood clots that can travel to the brain and instigate a stroke. Good oral hygiene is recommended as an integral part of stroke prevention.[5]
3) Respiratory Illnesses
Owing to a similar effect as with bacteria using the bloodstream to travel to different locations in the body (but instead using the air we breathe), certain microorganisms being taken in this way can cause infection or worsening of an existing respiratory condition.
People with poor oral health have higher rates of chronic or acute bronchitis, emphysema, flu, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as dental plaque is suspected to be a reservoir of respiratory illness-causing microorganisms, especially in patients with gum disease.[6]
4) Diabetes
Diabetes and oral health have a bidirectional relationship. Oral infections cause bacteria from severe gum disease to increase blood sugar levels and keep them elevated for extended periods.[1]
This effect contributes to developing prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and worsening diabetic complications.[1]
Conversely, uncontrolled diabetes can increase glucose levels in the mouth, promoting gum disease-causing bacteria.[1]
5) Pregnancy
Periodontitis is associated with premature birth, low birth weight, and an increased likelihood of dental caries in the infant,[7] so good dental hygiene and prevention strategies are strongly advised for expectant mothers or those planning to get pregnant.
6) Sleep
Dental health and sleep are more commonly related than most people would think. Dental sleep medicine is an entire field of medicine devoted to this relationship.[8]
Snoring, sleep apnea, teeth grinding (bruxism), dry mouth, hypersalivation, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are all possible dental sleep-related conditions.[9]
Sleep durations under 5 hours were found to be strongly connected to poor oral health.[10] For instance, insomnia can cause a decrease in the production of saliva, which is essential for tooth and gum health.
What’s the Takeaway?
The relationship between oral health and the systemic health of the rest of the human body is intrinsically linked yet poorly understood by the general public.
However, it continues to be essential to someone’s overall well-being, so don’t put off that visit to your dentist – even just for regular checkups.
References:
- Borgnakke, W. S., Genco, R. J., Eke, P. I., & Taylor, G. W. (2018). Oral Health and Diabetes. In C. C. Cowie (Eds.) et. al., Diabetes in America. (3rd ed.). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (US).
- Carinci, F., Martinelli, M., Contaldo, M., Santoro, R., Pezzetti, F., Lauritano, D., Candotto, V., Mucchi, D., Palmieri, A., Tagliabue, A., & Tettamanti, L. (2018). Focus on periodontal disease and development of endocarditis. Journal of biological regulators and homeostatic agents, 32(2 Suppl. 1), 143–147.
- Seymour, R. A., Preshaw, P. M., & Steele, J. G. (2002). Oral health and heart disease. Primary dental care : journal of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (UK), 9(4), 125–131. https://doi.org/10.1308/135576102322481947
- Silvestre, J., Gil-Raga, I., Martinez-Herrera, M., Lauritano, D., & Silvestre-Rangil, J. (2017). Prior oral conditions in patients undergoing heart valve surgery. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry, 9(11), e1287. https://doi.org/10.4317/jced.53902
- Shahi, S., Farhoudi, M., Dizaj, S. M., Sharifi, S., Sadigh-Eteghad, S., Goh, K. W., Ming, L. C., Dhaliwal, J. S., & Salatin, S. (2022). The Link between Stroke Risk and Orodental Status-A Comprehensive Review. Journal of clinical medicine, 11(19), 5854. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11195854
- Scannapieco, F. A., Papandonatos, G. D., & Dunford, R. G. (1998). Associations between oral conditions and respiratory disease in a national sample survey population. Annals of periodontology, 3(1), 251–256. https://doi.org/10.1902/annals.1998.3.1.251
- Silk, H., Douglass, A. B., Douglass, J. M., & Silk, L. (2008). Oral health during pregnancy. American family physician, 77(8), 1139–1144.
- Lobbezoo, F., de Vries, N., de Lange, J., & Aarab, G. (2020). A Further Introduction to Dental Sleep Medicine. Nature and science of sleep, 12, 1173–1179. https://doi.org/10.2147/NSS.S276425
- Huynh, N. T., Emami, E., Helman, J. I., & Chervin, R. D. (2014). Interactions between sleep disorders and oral diseases. Oral diseases, 20(3), 236–245. https://doi.org/10.1111/odi.12152
- Han, S., Jee, D., Kang, Y. J., Park, Y. J., & Cho, J. H. (2021). Possible association between oral health and sleep duration: A cross-sectional study based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 2010 to 2015. Medicine, 100(48), e28035. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000028035
