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Oral Health: A Window to Overall Health

Your mouth is teeming with bacteria â€“ most of them harmless. Normally the body's natural defenses and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, can keep these bacteria under control. However, harmful bacteria can sometimes grow out of control and cause oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, dental procedures, medications, or treatments that reduce saliva flow, disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in your mouth. Problems inside your mouth, such as with your gums, teeth and/or tongue, can all be indicators that serious health troubles are lurking beneath the surface. Itâ€™s critical to pay attention to any and all signs or symptoms of oral problems. Here are some ways in which your mouth and the rest of the body are associated.

Bacteria Cause Gum Disease and Worse

The research isn't conclusive, but red, swollen, and bleeding gums may point to health problems from heart disease to diabetes. Sometimes, bacteria from your mouth can travel to your bloodstream, setting off an inflammatory reaction elsewhere in your body. Left untreated, gum disease can increase your risk for a host of diseases linked to inflammation. Certain diseases and medications also may cause mouth problems.

Can Mouth Bacteria Affect the Heart?

Some studies show that people with gum disease are more likely to suffer from heart disease than those with healthy, pink gums. Researchers aren't sure why this association exists. One theory is that oral bacteria travel into the bloodstream where it may attach to fatty plaques in the arteries, causing inflammation and setting the stage for a heart attack.

Gum Disease and Diabetes

Diabetes can reduce the bodyâ€™s resistance to infection. Elevated blood sugars increase the risk of developing gum disease. What's more, gum disease can make it harder to keep blood sugar levels in check. Protect your gums by keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. Brush after each meal and floss daily.

Dry Mouth and Tongue Cause Tooth Decay

Saliva helps protect teeth and gums from bacteria that cause cavities and gingivitis, so a perpetually dry mouth is more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease. Given that a chronically dry mouth raises risk of cavities and gum disease, you may want to check your medicine cabinet. Antihistamines, decongestants, painkillers, and antidepressants are among the drugs that can cause dry mouth. Talk to your doctor or dentist to find out if your medication regimen is affecting your oral health, and what you can do about it.

Healthy gums should look pink and firm, not red and swollen. To keep gums healthy, practice good oral hygiene. The bottom line is that good oral health is essential to good overall health. Pay attention to clues that your mouth is giving you and follow these tips to be the healthiest you can be:

Brush and floss at least twice a day.
Avoid fatty and sugary foods, as these can lead to plaque build-up.
Create a smile-friendly diet by eating foods high in fiber such as fruits and vegetables, which strengthen the hard and soft tissues of the mouth, and take calcium and vitamin C supplements to promote healthy gums. Additionally, fruits and vegetables raise the pH in the mouth which creates a healthier environment for the good bacteria to thrive and the bad bacteria to disappear.
Care for your teeth, gums and tongue like any other body part, brushing and flossing regularly. Have a professional cleaning at least twice a year â€“ and more if your gums are sensitive or inflamed, or you have had a good deal of dental work.