Your oral health is dependent on many factors, from general bodily health to diabetes, pregnancy, smoking, and more.

General health

The World Oral Health Report (2003) firmly established that a strong relationship exists between oral health and general health, and since then, emerging research has only reinforced this connection. Your mouth is not isolated from the rest of your body—what affects your oral health can have far-reaching implications for your overall wellbeing. Here are four major ways in which oral health and general health are interconnected:

Association with Chronic Diseases:
Poor oral health has been significantly linked to major chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections. The inflammation and bacterial infections in the mouth can contribute to systemic health issues, emphasizing the need for regular dental care.
Impact on Daily Functioning and Disability:
Oral health problems can cause pain, difficulty eating, and even lead to disability. This can affect your ability to perform everyday tasks and diminish your quality of life, making it crucial to address dental issues promptly.
Shared Risk Factors:
Many of the risk factors that contribute to poor oral health—such as smoking, an unhealthy diet, and lack of proper hygiene—also play a role in the development of other major diseases. Addressing these common factors can improve both your oral and general health.
Influence of General Health on Oral Conditions:
General health problems, including systemic conditions like diabetes and immune disorders, can exacerbate oral health issues. Conversely, maintaining good overall health can help prevent the onset or worsening of dental problems.

Your oral health is a window to your overall health. Don’t wait for a problem to arise—take proactive steps to safeguard your wellbeing today. Contact Dental On Magill now to schedule a consultation and learn how our comprehensive dental care can help you maintain a healthy smile and a healthier life overall.

Heart disease

Studies have found the incidence of heart disease is about twice as high in people with gum disease. Oral bacteria mixes in with blood-clotting cells called platelets, leading to the formation of clumps that travels through the blood vessels. These clumps of cells and bacteria irritate vessel walls and may promote formation of heart stopping blood clots.

The inflammation also produces a protein that can irritate the interior of blood vessels creating sites where fatty deposits can form, called plaques, leading to atherosclerosis, and life threatening heart attacks and stroke.

Stroke

A recent study found that of all fatty deposits lodged in carotid arteries of stroke sufferers shows that 70% contain bacteria and 40% of that bacteria comes from the mouth!

Infective Endocarditis

Endocarditis typically occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of your body, such as your mouth, spread through your bloodstream and attach to damaged areas in your heart and the inner lining of the heart becomes inflamed. Left untreated, endocarditis can damage or destroy your heart valves and can lead to life-threatening complications.

Endocarditis is uncommon in people with healthy hearts. People at greatest risk of endocarditis have a damaged heart valve, an artificial heart valve or other heart defects.

For dental treatment, people at risk of Infective Endocarditis are required to take a prophylactic dose of antibiotics prior to treatment.

Lung Infections

Respiratory infections, including pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, involve the inhalation of bacteria from your mouth into your lungs. In case of immunodeficiency, or elderly patients, this can cause infection.

Additionally, bacterial enzymes lower the protection given by mucous against the colonisation of bacteria.

Weakened Immune System

The immune system can become so compromised that its ability to resist additional infections and toxins could be seriously diminished. A weakened immune system will put the various body systems at risk and create a domino effect in regard to infections.

Just at gum disease can put additional stress on the body’s immune system, a weakened immune system can make it more difficult to prevent and treat gum disease. A weakened immune system can also slow wound healing, resulting in a diminished response to gum treatment, or delayed healing after extraction.

For patients who have a condition that significantly diminishes you immune system, it is absolutely crucial not to leave your gum disease go untreated. All diseases stress the immune system but none so much as HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS can be fatal as result of a failed immune system, such as pneumonia and kidney failure.