6 Ways Oral Health Impacts Overall Health
Why Is the Mouth-Body Connection so Important?
Healthcare practitioners say that more than decay or bad breath, poor oral health can impact other parts of your body and lead to various diseases. When bad bacteria are allowed to proliferate, they can harm your teeth and gums but also travel to other parts of the body.
Signs of Poor Oral Health
- Painful chewing
- Bad taste that won’t go away
- Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- Change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
The Mouth-Body Connection at Work: 6 Ways Poor Oral Health Impacts Overall Health
- Heart disease
While gum diseases have been considered a risk factor for heart disease, some experts believe that there’s a connection between periodontitis and the development of heart disease.
- Gut problems
According to a study in 2017, when the oral bacteria Klebsiella were ingested by the mice, they could lead to inflammatory disease of the intestines such as ulcerative colitis. It’s a common bacterium in mouth but can wreck havoc in some people.
- Pre-term birth
It’s been observed that periodontal disease could be a risk for pre-term birth because the inflammation associated with periodontal disease triggers an immune response in pregnant women.
- Dementia
A study conducted on the brains of 10 deceased patients found that a specific gum disease bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis was present in four of the brains.
- Diabetes
The liver releases more glucose to give your body energy to fight back and the stress hormones make your cells more resistant to insulin. This makes blood sugar to rise.
- Respiratory infections
Several studies have found a link between respiratory issues and poor oral health.
Tips for Improving Your Own Mouth-Body Connection
- Eat a remineralizing diet
A diet full of berries, dark leafy vegetables, salmon, walnuts, etc can help in getting vitamin K2 and omega-3.
- Take beneficial supplements
Take supplements like pre and probiotics, Vitamin K2 and mineral including magnesium.
- Develop a good oral hygiene routine
Brush and floss your teeth twice daily along with a mouthwash after each meal and visit the dentist near you twice annually.