Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Your oral health is linked to your wider health. It makes sense, as your mouth is the start of important systems in your body, including your digestive system and your respiratory system. If bacteria is able to build up in your mouth, it can spread to other parts of your body, leading to inflammation and infection.

Your oral health is also linked to your confidence and self esteem. Your mental health can therefore be impacted by your oral health. Tooth loss or tooth decay can lead to mental health conditions due to isolation or poor self esteem.

Curious to learn more about the link between a healthy mouth and a healthy body? These are just some of the ways your oral health can impact your wider health.

Tooth loss and tooth decay

The first issue with gum disease will be directly related to your oral health. Gum disease attacks the structures that keep your teeth in place. Inflammation causes the gums to recede, which leaves more of the tooth exposed to bacteria.

This can lead to tooth decay and inflammation of the jaw bone. If left untreated, this will eventually cause the teeth to become loose and this can lead to tooth loss. There is also the risk of tooth loss due to decay.

Heart Disease and Stroke

If you suffer from gum disease, the bacteria present in your mouth are able to get into the bloodstream. These bacteria then produce protein. This can cause the platelets in the blood to stick together, increasing the likelihood of clots forming.

Clots in your bloodstream prevent oxygen and other necessary nutrients getting to your heart and other organs such as the brain. If the blood flow is dramatically affected, this can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Diabetes

If you are diabetic you are more likely to suffer with gum disease, but it is especially important to ensure that you get any problems diagnosed and treated early.

Gum disease can increase your levels of blood sugars and if left untreated this can put you at risk of further diabetic complications. Recent studies have also shown that having gum disease can increase your risk of developing diabetes.

The impact goes both ways, as suffering from diabetes will also put you at increased risk for certain oral health problems, particularly if you are not able to manage your diabetes well.

Pregnancy complications

If you suffer from gum disease and are pregnant you may be over three times more likely to have a baby with a low birth weight or a baby that is premature. There is a one in four chance that a pregnant woman with gum disease will give birth before 35 weeks.

This is particularly difficult to manage, as pregnancy can also increase your risk of developing oral health conditions, and treatment will be more difficult. To counter this, it’s essential to visit the dentist during the first and second trimesters to keep on top of your oral health.

Chest Infections

If you suffer from gum disease, you will have an increased number of bacteria present in your mouth. Chest infections are caused by breathing in fine droplets containing bacteria from the throat and mouth into the lungs, with an increased number of bacteria present there is an increased risk of developing infections.

Elderly patients are at increased risk of developing conditions like pneumonia if they suffer from gum disease. Even those who have replaced their teeth with dentures should consider how they care for their oral health, as there is still a risk of bacteria building up and spreading through the body.

Social isolation and depression

Those suffering from oral health problems might become socially isolated due to a loss of confidence and embarrassment. This is particularly problematic for the elderly, who are already at a higher risk of becoming isolated.

Isolation can lead to issues such as depression and anxiety, which can both impact quality of life and reduce life expectancy. In younger people, gum disease might impact confidence and lead to social isolation due to poor self esteem.

How to spot the signs of gum disease

As you can see, gum disease is clearly something we want to avoid. Thankfully, it is very treatable when caught early and patients can get this under control and manage the condition to help prevent secondary problems.

So, what should you look out for? The main signs of gum disease are:

• Red, swollen gum

• Bleeding when you brush your teeth

• An unpleasant taste in your mouth

• Bad Breath

• Loose Teeth

• Regular Mouth Infections

If you notice any of these signs, be sure to book an appointment with your dentist or your dental hygienist. Even if it has been a long time since you last visited the dentist, it’s vital to get your oral health back on track.

Treatment for gum disease

In the early stages gum disease can be reversed, but if this becomes more advanced, the only option will be to manage the condition. Thankfully, you can be healthy if you keep your gum disease under control.

With good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist or hygienist, it is possible to slow down and even halt the progression of the disease. Your dental team will remove all the plaque and calculus build up from your teeth.

This is what provides the ideal environment for bacteria to grow and flourish. They will also instruct you on oral hygiene to ensure that you follow the best possible routine in between appointments.

A good at home oral care routine is the most important part of treatment for gum disease

1. Brush your teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste

2. Clean your teeth interdentally using floss, interdental brushes or floss picks at least once a day

3. Visit your dentist for regular appointments as often as they recommend

Ready to start your journey to a healthy mouth?

Start your journey to a healthy mouth and healthy body by calling Benfleet Dental Centre today on 01702 557766 or request an appointment online. We can advise you on the presence of gum disease and offer guidance on the next steps to help halt the progression.