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Grace Pamer, the love letters lady behind Romantic Frugal Mom, is joining us today for a very relevant guest post. We are thrilled to have her discussing the important health issue of whether oral health reflects overall wellness.
By daveparker http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveparker/
Although researchers are still debating whether oral health simply reflects an overall state of health or does it interact at a deeper level actually aggravating certain health conditions, there is little doubt among dentists and periodontists that careful scrutiny of the teeth, gums and tongue can uncover yet unknown health problems throughout the body.
Some of the earliest warning signs of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other conditions show up first as subtle changes in oral health. We have been trained to think of the body in a rather mechanistic way, and even the medical profession found it somewhat difficult to accept that things such as heart disease and high glucose levels in the blood could affect the health of the teeth and gums. But now there is a greater emphasis on how each process in the body is connected to all others, the heart is not really separately functioning from the kidneys, or the liver from the brain. Each metabolic process in the body directly or indirectly affects the entire body. So, we are no longer surprised when researchers find that something as seemingly distant as pregnancy complications is reflected in oral health.
Oral Health and Heart Disease
One link that has been established for quite some time is the connection between oral health and heart disease and stroke. It is not clear to researchers how cardiovascular health is linked to oral health, but they definitely know that periodontal disease such as gingivitis almost doubles the risk for coronary artery disease and heart attack.
What they don’t know is whether one causes the other or if there is something deeper going on that causes both problems. What they do know is that the same bacteria that cause plaque in the mouth are found in blocked arteries in the heart and most likely elsewhere in the body. Some hypothesize that inflammation of the gums in periodontal disease may cause increased inflammation throughout the body, including in the blood vessels.
By Katatonic28 http://www.flickr.com/photos/midwestkimchee/
Oral Health and Diabetes
Another condition with a strong link to oral health is diabetes. The incidence of diabetes is on the increase, with researchers estimating there are thousands if not millions of people unaware that they even have this slow to develop disease. An alert dentist may notice warning signs before a medical diagnosis is even made, helping the patient get early care for the condition.
Signs of diabetes show up in the mouth as increased cavities, gingivitis, and fungal and other infections. The most recent research is showing that diabetes and gingivitis may have a mutually causal relationship, meaning that those with gingivitis may be at higher risk for developing diabetes, just as those with diabetes are at higher risk for periodontal disease.
Oral Health and Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are another problem that can affect oral health. The strong stomach acids regurgitated by those with bulimia eat away at tooth enamel. Drug abuse, especially of methamphetamine, can destroy the gums and underlying bone structure that supports the teeth. Long-term stress can cause tooth grinding and jaw clenching that wears away and even breaks teeth.
Oral Health and General Health
Ongoing research is attempting to find the reasons behind the connections between oral health and general health, but while they are trying to determine exactly how these interactions happen, it’s a great idea to pay a little closer attention to your oral health. This means much more than just having bright, white teeth and a beautiful smile. It means taking meticulous care of your mouth, brushing and flossing regularly and visiting the dentist for routine cleanings. It also means paying attention to eating right to support both your oral and overall health!
About the Author
Grace Pamer is a mother of 3 and widely known as the love letters lady. She runs a popular love letters section on her blog www.romanticfrugalmom.com, a guide to help couples compose love letters for their nearest and dearest.
Olga M says
I think oral health directly and indirectly affects our total health. So we should take care dental health first.
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Dental Care says
What great insights, including from everyone who have posted their comments. Dental care must be given utmost priority indeed!
Ryan says
This all seems very logical to me. As in the lac of general wellness will lead to poor gums, bad breath and yellowing teeth (just guessing on the last one, but smoking is make your teeth yellow and we know its bad for your health).
Ian says
without a doubt oral health is a good reflection of overall health. We run a business that teaches people to really take care of their oral health at home and avoid the shame that dentists can make people feel. Understanding the signs and signals of your own oral health can play a huge part in leading a healthier life.
Jason Cooke says
Oral health has a huge impact on many other aspects of health. Gum disease can lead to serious infections and put you at risk for serious diseases. Not only will if put you or your child at risk for serious diseases, but if they have a disease like diabetes, it can increase the costs to treat it.
Daly says
My great grandmother used to look at my teeth when I was a kid to see if I’m well. It makes sense.
umair says
yes oral health is directly effect on our wellness so we must resolve our oral problems first
Charlene says
I’ve heard that oral health can affect your general health. I also wonder how often it works in reverse, how often our health issues affect our oral health.
Tiffany says
That is so true…oral health is something that’s easy to overlook when it comes to wellness. Thanks for the reminder.