Many of us start and end the day by brushing our teeth. Good dental and oral habits are important to maintaining healthy teeth, gums and tongue. What many might not understand is the importance that your oral health has on the rest of your body.
Like many areas of the body, your mouth can contain lots of bacteria. In most cases, the bacteria is not dangerous, and the body’s natural defenses and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, can keep these bacteria under control. However, without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease. Oral problems, bad breath, such as dry mouth, canker or cold sores, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), tooth decay, or thrush, are all treatable with proper diagnosis and care.
Many of the patients I see will often come to me with health concerns. When evaluating their symptoms, I often ask about their dental health. I explain that understanding the connection between oral health and overall health can greatly enhance your total health picture.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 500 million dental visits are made in the U.S. each year. Yet, many children and adults needlessly suffer from oral diseases that could be prevented. With proper preventive care, such as regular checkups, brushing, flossing, fluoridation, and dental sealants, the risk for dental disease could be greatly reduced.
In addition, according to the Mayo Clinic, certain medications, such as decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers and diuretics, can reduce saliva flow. Saliva plays an important ingredient in oral health, as it washes away food and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, helping to protect you from microbial invasion or overgrowth that might lead to disease.
Smoking and chewing tobacco products can lead to gum disease by affecting the attachment of bone and soft tissue to your teeth. More specifically, it appears that smoking interferes with the normal function of gum tissue cells. This interference makes smokers more susceptible to infections, such as periodontal disease, and also seems to impair blood flow to the gums – which may affect wound healing,
Studies also suggest that oral bacteria and the inflammation associated with periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease, might play a role in some diseases. In addition, certain diseases, such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS, can lower the body’s resistance to infection, making oral health problems more severe.
Locally, the Marion County Public Health Department has a strong dental program aimed at prevention. Through health fairs and community events, the health department provides low-cost screenings with follow-up treatments in several outpatient centers throughout Marion County. In addition, their Smile Mobile, a two-chair dental operatory/immunization mobile van, travels throughout the community providing checkups. The Marion County Public Health Department’s dental program can be reached by calling 221-2329.
I encourage all patients to have regular dental appointments and follow proper dental care. For parents, oral health in children is extremely important. A child’s first dentist appointment should be made no later than the age of one.
Nydia Nunez-Estrada, M.D.
Family Medicine
Eskenazi Health Center