How dental health affects overall health
Good oral health is key to your overall wellbeing. Brushing, flossing, and regular check-ups benefit more than just your teeth. How healthy your teeth and gums are can influence other parts of your health. This includes your heart, lungs, and mental health. Here, I explain why dental hygiene matters and how it impacts your health.
What can poor dental hygiene lead to?
Practicing good dental hygiene by brushing and flossing is important throughout your life. If you don’t follow good dental hygiene, bacteria can build up. This can lead to problems like gum disease (periodontitis) and tooth decay. When gums are inflamed as a result, harmful bacteria can enter the bloodstream. Bacteria that lives in plaque can also be inhaled and reach our lungs.
Poor dental health may cause issues with our respiratory health, organ functions and all other aspects of our wellbeing.
Is dental health affected by diabetes?
People living with diabetes are prone to gum disease. Gum disease can raise blood sugar levels. This increases the risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes and the medicines you take for it can change your saliva. This can lead to plaque build-up. If you don’t clean your teeth properly, plaque can cause gum disease and tooth decay.
Can poor dental health affect your heart?
There’s growing evidence that dental health is linked to cardiovascular disease (problems with your heart and blood vessels). The way this happens is thought to be that bacteria from gum disease enters your bloodstream. Gum disease may also activate cells involved in inflammation. Below are some heart problems that might be a result of poor dental health.
- Endocarditis (infection of heart chambers and valves)
- Hypertension or high blood pressure
- Irregular or fast heartbeat
- Narrowing of arteries and coronary heart disease
Heart problems can lead to complications such as heart failure and stroke. Looking after your dental health is something you can do to prevent cardiovascular disease. Keeping active, having a healthy diet, and avoid smoking are also important for your heart.
Is dental health affected in pregnancy?
Increased hormones during pregnancy can make your gums more susceptible to plaque. This can lead to inflammation and bleeding, known as pregnancy gingivitis. To help protect your mouth, try to avoid sugary drinks and limit sugary foods.
Your diet can also affect your child’s tooth development, which can start as early as their sixth week in the womb. To ensure their teeth and bones grow healthily, it’s important to get your calcium intake. You can get calcium from dairy foods. Calcium is also found in green vegetables and soya drinks with added calcium. Taking 10 micrograms of vitamin D each day will help.
Poor dental health might result in low birth weight and premature birth for your baby. However, the research isn't clear on this.
Can teeth issues cause lung problems?
Your mouth is the entry point to your lungs. If you have gum disease, you might breathe in harmful bacteria causing it to reach your lungs. This can lead to pneumonia and other problems.
Is your mental health affected by dental health?
It’s not just your physical health that can be linked to teeth hygiene. Low self-confidence and well-being may also be caused by poor dental health. If you have pain or are embarrassed due to teeth problems this can make it hard to work or socialise. You might feel better if you get any teeth problems checked and treated.
However, poor mental health can also lead to poor oral hygiene. Having a mental health condition can make it hard to keep a good dental care routine. If you need help, see a GP who can offer support and advice.
What are the signs of dental ill health?
It's important to visit your dentist regularly. They can check your teeth's health and spot any problems. You should also see a dentist if you have these symptoms:
- red or swollen gums
- bleeding after brushing
- a bad taste in your mouth
- loose teeth
These symptoms could be gum disease. If it’s found earlier it can be reversed. You should tell your dentist about any changes in your health. And see a GP if you think any problems with your teeth relate to your general health or health conditions you have.
Do you know how healthy you truly are? Bupa health assessments give you a clear overview of your health and a view of any future health risks. You'll receive a personal lifestyle action plan with health goals to reach for a happier, healthier you.
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