Link between Oral health and General health
General health and dental health are closely related. Understanding how the two are related to and impact one another is crucial. Serious health issues can arise from poor oral hygiene.
Poor oral health can lead to cardiovascular problems, endocarditis, pregnancy complications and pneumonia
Cardiovascular problems:
Bacteria from the mouth travel through the blood vessels to reach the heart, where they cause inflammation and damage to the blood vessels, leading to clots, heart attacks, and strokes. It has been found that the atherosclerotic patches of the blood vessels contained the bacteria found in the mouth. Oral infection sets off an immune reaction in the body, which causes inflammation in the body, causing problems to heart and other organs.
Endocarditis:
Pathogenic bacteria can stick to the inner lining of the heart and surface of the valves, leading to infective endocarditis. Patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease are at an increased risk of developing IE due to poor oral health. Streptococcus species, almost exclusive to the mouth, lead their way from the inflamed gums to the heart, causing 50% of infectious Endocarditis cases. With good oral hygiene, there is reduced risk of bacteremia, therefore reduced risk of developing IE.
Pregnancy complications:
Preterm birth, before 37 weeks of pregnancy, and low birth weight babies are associated with poor oral health.
Pneumonia:
Pathogenic bacteria can reach the lungs, causing pneumonia and other lung complications. There is a significant correlation in patients with high dental caries and tooth loss developing the risk of pneumonia.
General health conditions affecting the oral health:
Pregnancy:
Increased hormonal levels lead to weakening of the gums and loosening of the teeth. During pregnancy, gums become more vulnerable to plaque, leading to swollen gums.
Diabetes
The diabetes and periodontitis relation is both ways. Diabetic patients have poor gum health leading to periodontitis and Diabetic patients with periodontitis can have worsened glycemic index.
HIV/AIDS
The mouth presents itself extremely dry, with gingivitis, periodontitis, fungal infections, hairy leukoplakia, and canker sores.
Cancer
Due to radiation therapy to the mouth and neck, cancer presents with dry mouth. Medicines used to treat cancer also causes dry mouth. In case of mouth cancer, there will be unhealed ulcers, red and white patches, pain with swallowing, difficulty in swallowing, and dry mouth.
Alzheimers disease:
This is a neurodegenerative disease. Dental infections along with orofacial pain is seen due to impairment in patients. Due to cognitive impairment, there is reduction in chewing force. Orofacial pain can be due to TMD dysfunction; upon TMD treatment and pain relief, the patients experienced better quality of life.
Conclusion
Along with regular brushing and flossing, regular dental checkups and professional teeth cleaning must not be neglected. Contact your Dentist at Solitaire Family Dentistry right away. Oral health has a profound effect on overall general health. Visit your Dentist atleast once a year to know the oral hygiene status and to take any preventive measures If needed. We provide affordable, convenient, ethical treatments to our patients in Hyderabad.
Contact us at 6281497455 for a quick appointment in kukatpally.
