Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body. Good oral health is essential for overall health.

Many people suffer from gum disease and don’t realize how important oral health is to overall health. Good oral health enables people to eat, speak, prevent oral health problems and reduces risk of many serious health problems. Good oral health is not limited to only your mouth. The health of your mouth is connected with general health. So if you maintain good oral health, you can reduce risk of many serious health problems.

How oral health affects overall health?

Evidence suggests that inflammation could be the connection between gum disease and general health. Bacteria present in infected gums can enter bloodstream and increases the risk of Heart disease,Stroke, Diabetes, Lung disease, Osteoporosis, Preterm low birth weight baby & Alzheimer’s disease.

Cardiovascular disease: People with gum disease are almost twice as likely to have heart disease. Research shows that chronic gum inflammation caused by bacteria has been linked to the development of cardiovascular problems, including strokes,heart disease and blockage in the arteries. Hardened arteries decrease the flow of blood to heart, which can lead to heart attack or stroke. Good oral health may reduce risk of heart diseases.

Diabetes : Research shows that gum disease and diabetes may affect one another. People with diabetes are more likely to develop gum disease and lose tooth as diabetes reduces body’s resistance to infection and gum disease make more difficult for diabetics to control their blood glucose levels. Controlling blood sugar levels decreases complications of diabetes and risk of gum disease.

Pregnancy and birth complications: Severe gum infection has been linked to low birth weight and premature birth. Bacteria in the mouth release toxins which interfere with the development of the foetus. Due to infection in the mouth, the mother produces labour triggering substances leading to premature labour and birth.Good oral hygiene helps pregnant women to carry a healthy baby to term.

Alzheimer’s disease & dementia: The bacteria that cause gingivitis can move from the mouth to the brain & release enzymes that can destroy nerve cells, which in turn can lead to memory loss and eventually Alzheimer’s.Good oral care may help protect against Alzheimer’s disease & dementia.

Benefits of good oral hygiene: