Oral health is like a peephole to one’s overall health. It is a very important part of your well-being. Poor oral hygiene can lead to dental cavities and gum disease and has also been linked to diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Therefore, what’s the connection between oral health and overall health?
The link between dental and overall body
Like other areas of the body, your mouth teems with mostly harmless bacteria. But your mouth is the entry point to your digestive and respiratory tract and some of these bacteria can cause disease.
Usually, good oral health care and the body’s natural defences keep bacteria under control. For instance, daily brushing and flossing. However, if ignored, the bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections. Similarly, such as gum disease and tooth decay do if proper health is not maintained.
London and all around the world say that you shouldn’t wait until you have symptoms to visit your dentist. If you experience any of the warning signs you should make an appointment to see your dentist. These are:-
- Ulcers and sores on the tender areas of your mouth that take longer than one or two weeks to heal.
- Bleeding or swollen gums after brushing or flossing
- Pain with chewing or biting
- Clicking of the jaw
If any of these symptoms are accompanied by facial or neck swelling and a high fever, you should seek emergency medical treatment.
Also, certain medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, diuretics, antidepressants and painkillers, may reduce saliva flow. Saliva neutralizes the acid produced by bacteria and washes away food. Therefore, helping to protect you from microbes that multiply and lead to disease.
Studies suggest that inflammation and oral bacteria associated with a severe form of gum disease (periodontitis) might play a role in some diseases. In addition, certain diseases, such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS lower the body’s defence mechanism, making oral health problems more severe.
In conclusion, even if you’ve been taking good care of your teeth, you’ll still need to have a routine visit to a dentist twice a year. Your dentist will recommend other treatments if you show signs of gum disease, infections, or other problems.
Some of these treatments are free provided by NHS dentist London. It is always good to be proactive and aware of problems that can cause damage to your health.
Therefore, taking good care of your oral hygiene is the first step towards taking care of your overall health.