Do you know that on average, we smile 20 times a day, but is it really conveying the right message?
The simple act of smiling can break the ice in social situations, make someone’s day or make a great first impression. But a smile goes way beyond a social cue. It’s also a window into your overall health and well-being.
Think of it this way…
If you see someone with a neglected smile — broken teeth, discolouration, and inflamed gums, what are your first impressions? They have poor dental care and need to see a dentist asap. But, in reality, it’s often the tip of the iceberg. A poor smile can also indicate that something deep down needs correcting.
Essentially, a poor smile is often a warning that your body is asking for help. With this in mind, let’s take a deep dive into how oral health affects overall health and how the two are inextricably connected.
The Oral-Body Connection: Why Oral Health Affects Overall Health
Even when your mouth is at its cleanest, it harbours billions of tiny organisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses that together make up the oral microbiome. Although many of them are good for your overall health, poor oral hygiene allows certain harmful bacteria to thrive. This imbalance causes dental cavities, gum diseases and oral infections.
But there’s more…
Those harmful microbes can make their way from the mouth into the bloodstream through different channels, putting you at risk of heart disease, respiratory infections and diabetes. When bad bacteria invade multiple organs, it can contribute to seriously compromised health.
Do we actually have proof?
Over the past decade or so, clinicians have hinted at the possible link between oral health and heart disease and now, recent studies have shown the presence of bacteria usually found in the mouth in arteries affected by heart disease.
One obvious assumption is that the harmful bacteria travel through the bloodstream, causing inflammation of smaller vessels within and near the heart. At worst, this could trigger blood clots, heart attacks and strokes.
Another theory suggests that an inflammatory response towards gum diseases initiates a cascade of events that trigger vascular damage and affect the heart and brain. Consequently, people with gum diseases are twice as likely to suffer from heart-related diseases when compared to healthy individuals.
Now we know how oral health affects overall health in terms of heart disease, let’s look at other ways your health might be affected…
Oral Health and Diabetes: A Two-Way Street
Diabetes and oral health are closely connected. Poor management of either one can exacerbate the other. What’s factual is that individuals with diabetes are three times more likely to develop gum diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis.
This is because increased blood sugar levels with poor immunity allow opportunistic bacteria to thrive within the mouth at the expense of host tissues.
In the UK alone, around 4.9 million people have diabetes and the oral problems associated with it.
On the flip side, gum disease can worsen blood sugar control. Inflammation caused by gum disease can spread to the bloodstream, disrupting the immune system, and making it harder to manage blood sugar levels.
The first evidence of such a link was reported during studies of the Gila River Indian community. Researchers found that almost 80% of those who had severe gum disease either had diabetes or had prediabetic symptoms.
Respiratory Health: How Oral Bacteria Can Affect Your Lungs
Do you know your lungs are also closely related to your oral health? Research from the British Lung Foundation reported 220,000 pneumonia cases annually.
It’s reported that bacteria from dental plaque, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenza, can be inhaled into the lungs, leading to respiratory infections in at-risk individuals, especially the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
Regular dental care can reduce incidences of diseases by preventing harmful bacteria from entering the lungs. A professional checkup with a dentist twice a year will help regulate your overall lung health.
Poor Oral Health and Pregnancy Complications
It’s not just the infirm or elderly, mothers, too, are prone to problems triggered by poor oral health. For instance, one alarming statistic states that mothers who suffer from gum disease are seven times more likely to give birth to premature babies.
Increased levels of hormones like progesterone and estrogen increase gum sensitivity and susceptibility to infections, exacerbating oral health problems. Such situations warrant stringent oral hygiene practices with regular brushing, flossing and dental checkups.
Digestive Health and Oral Hygiene
Of course, our mouths also serve as a gateway to our stomachs. Under normal circumstances, digestion starts in the mouth with the mechanical action of your teeth and the chemical action of an enzyme called amylase. This allows food to be broken down and digested more quickly in the gut.
However, when we have oral conditions like tooth decay, gum diseases or missing teeth, chewing ability can be impaired, causing problems like indigestion and malabsorption which can affect gut health.
The Psychological Impact: Confidence and Mental Health
Finally, let’s not forget about the heavy toll a poor smile can have on the mental and psychological well-being of an individual. Broken or missing teeth not only make you look unattractive, but they can also cause social anxiety and depression.
In the UK for example a consumer survey carried out by Simply Health suggests that 23% of adults surveyed don’t show their teeth when they smile, 13% have severe confidence issues because of the way their smile looks, and perhaps, the most worrying of all is that 8% avoid social situations altogether.
Social distancing to save embarrassment can cause emotional strain and significantly damage mental well-being. The good news? Restoring oral health can shift your esteemed feelings into confidence and boost emotional resilience for a healthier and happier life.
Steps to Maintain Good Oral Health
Now that you know about the downsides of having poor oral health, here’s what you can do to treat it:
Proper brushing and flossing techniques:
Brushing twice daily with a fluoridated toothpaste and soft-bristled brush helps remove plaque that causes caries and gum diseases. Also, floss daily to remove plaque where brushes can’t reach.
The importance of regular dental check-ups:
Visiting your dentist twice a year for cleaning and regular checkups is necessary. Regular dental exams can catch hidden potential issues, preventing costly, severe problems.
Eat a well-balanced diet:
Limit acidic food intake like soft drinks and sugary foods that erode the outer layer of your enamel. Replace these with a healthy diet rich in minerals and vitamins, especially calcium and Vitamin C, that help strengthen the structure of your overall tooth.
Conclusion: Smile for Your Health
As you can see, the connection between how oral health affects overall health is more than just an old wive’s tale. In fact, the World Health Organisation first reported on the link as early as 2003 and as more and more information is coming to light, it’s no longer just a tenuous link, but a definitive symbiotic relationship that runs deep.
If you’re looking to take back control of your overall health, how about starting with your oral care? Chances are, your smile, and your body, will thank you for it!