How a healthy smile affects your whole body
In the world of medical care, teeth have historically been considered separately from the rest of your body. You don’t find dentists working at your local hospital, for example. And insurance plans generally cover medical care or dental care, but not both in the same policy.
Intuitively, it all seems a little bit odd. And as research advances, we’re learning that good oral health is, in fact, a lot more important to our overall health than we suspected.
The effects of oral health
“There are associations between oral health and systemic health,” explained Rachel Knafel, family medicine nurse practitioner at Beacon Medical Group Goshen Family Medicine Center. “The mouth is full of bacteria, and the inflammation can lead to infections that could eventually affect a person’s overall health.”
It’s a big enough concern that the American Heart Association has a new initiative focused just on improving dental health. Researchers have found that gum disease is associated with a significantly higher risk of both heart attack and stroke.
That’s not all — gum disease has also been associated with osteoporosis, arthritis and respiratory disease.
Why is that? One reason may be that germs in the mouth can easily reach other key areas of the body when you breathe and eat. In addition, poor oral health can lead to inflammation of the gums, and chronic inflammation has been linked to a host of health issues, including body pain, fatigue, digestive problems and frequent infections.
In the case of diabetes, the mouth both affects and is affected by the disease. “The high blood sugar and dry mouth in a person with uncontrolled diabetes can lead to worsening gingivitis and later-stage dental or gum disease,” said Knafel. “Gum disease can also affect blood sugar by increasing the body’s inflammatory response, which leads to elevated blood sugar. It’s a bad relationship all around.”
How to protect your oral health
The most important preventive measure is to brush your teeth twice a day, especially before bedtime, says Knafel. She also recommends avoiding beverages that are sweetened with sugar, including soft drinks, sweet tea, lemonade and even juice. Avoid adding sugar to your coffee, too.
Major medical organizations, including the American Association of Pediatrics, the American Association of Family Physicians and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all recommend using fluoride to prevent cavities.
“These are organizations that continually assess new evidence and update their recommendations frequently,” explained Knafel. Social media is full of alarming misinformation and unsubstantiated information, so it’s important to be mindful of the source of the information being shared.
“When trying to figure out who to trust, I would look to see what the large organizations are recommending, and then look at the references they use to make those decisions,” said Knafel. “Single websites with opinion pieces are not considered high quality scientific evidence, so I would stay away from those.”
As always, it’s important to trust your healthcare team, and Knafel emphasizes having a good relationship with your dentist. “They can catch infections before they cause systemic issues. They can also help us find clues to diseases that may already be occurring in the body.”
So be sure that when you’re caring for your health, you don’t forget your teeth. By taking good care of them, you’re not only protecting your smile, you’re helping prevent potentially serious health problems in the future.
Here for you
Your health is your most valuable asset and taking care of it starts with finding the right primary care provider. A trusted healthcare professional can help you manage all aspects of your health, from routine check-ups to specialized care. Don’t wait — schedule an appointment with a Beacon primary care provider today and take the first step toward a healthier, happier you. Learn more and schedule today.
