Diabetes, heart disease and other conditions related to oral health

World Oral Health Day: Inflammation that begins in the mouth appears to weaken the body’s ability to control blood sugar. People with diabetes have trouble converting sugar due to a lack of insulin, the hormone that turns sugar into energy.

World Oral Health Day 2021 is celebrated on March 20

World Oral Health Day 2021: This day is celebrated on March 20 of each year. Oral Health Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of improving your oral health and how it affects your overall health. Years ago, a doctor who suspected heart disease probably wouldn’t refer the patient to a gum specialist. The same goes for diabetes, pregnancy, or just about any other health problem. The times have changed. The last 5 to 10 years have seen an increasing interest in the possible links between oral health and bodily health.

World oral health day: your mouth is the gateway to your body

To understand how the mouth can affect the body, it helps to understand what can go wrong in the first place. The bacteria that build up on the teeth make the gums prone to infection. The immune system intervenes to attack the infection and the gums become inflamed. The inflammation continues unless the infection is brought under control.

Over time, the inflammation and the chemicals it releases eat away at the gums and bone structure that hold the teeth in place. The result is severe gum disease, known as periodontitis. Inflammation can also cause problems in the rest of the body.

Also read: World Oral Health Day: Eucalyptus, menthol and other essential oils to watch out for, in a mouthwash

What is the connection between oral health and overall health?

Like many areas of the body, your mouth is full of bacteria, most of which are harmless. Normally, the body’s natural defenses and good oral care, such as daily brushing and flossing, can keep these bacteria under control. However, without good oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that can lead to oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease.

Additionally, some medications – such as decongestants, antihistamines, pain relievers, and diuretics – can reduce salivary flow. Saliva eliminates food and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in your mouth, helping to protect you against microbial invasion or overgrowth that could lead to disease.

Studies also suggest that oral bacteria and the inflammation associated with periodontitis – a severe form of gum disease – may play a role in some diseases. Additionally, some illnesses, such as diabetes and HIV / AIDS, can reduce the body’s resistance to infections, making oral health problems worse.

Also Read: Bleeding Gums: Here Are Reasons Beyond Poor Oral Health That Can Lead To It

Oral health and diabetes

The working relationship between diabetes and periodontitis may be the strongest of all the connections between the mouth and the body. The inflammation that starts in the mouth appears to weaken the body’s ability to control blood sugar. People with diabetes have trouble converting sugar due to a lack of insulin, the hormone that turns sugar into energy.

Diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infections, which puts the gums at risk. Gum disease appears to be more common and more serious in people with diabetes. Research shows that people with gum disease have a harder time controlling their blood sugar.

Diabetes is linked to poor oral health
Photo credit: iStock

Oral health and heart disease

While the reasons are not fully understood, it’s clear that gum disease and heart disease often go hand in hand. Up to 91% of patients with heart disease have periodontitis, compared to 66% of people without heart disease. The two conditions have several risk factors in common, such as smoking, a poor diet, and being overweight. And some suspect that periodontitis has a direct role in increasing the risk of heart disease.

Oral health and pregnancy

Babies born too early or with low birth weight often have significant health problems, including lung disease, heart problems, and learning disabilities. While many factors can contribute to premature or low birth weight deliveries, researchers are studying the possible role of gum disease. Infection and inflammation in general seem to interfere with the development of the fetus in the womb.

Although men get periodontitis more often than women, hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase a woman’s risk. For the best chances of a healthy pregnancy.

Also Read: Exercise During Pregnancy Can Save Children From Health Problems In Adulthood: Study

Oral health and osteoporosis

One thing in common with osteoporosis and periodontitis is bone loss. The connection between the two, however, is controversial. Cram points out that osteoporosis affects the long bones of the arms and legs, while gum disease attacks the jaw bone. Others point out that osteoporosis mainly affects women, while periodontitis is more common in men.

Although a link has not been well established, some studies have found that women with osteoporosis have gum disease more often than those who do not. Researchers are testing the theory that inflammation triggered by periodontitis could weaken bones in other parts of the body.

Oral health and other conditions

The impact of oral health on the body is a relatively new area of ​​study. Some other mouth-to-body connections currently under investigation include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis: Treatment of periodontal disease has been shown to reduce pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
• Lung conditions: Periodontal disease can make pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease worse, possibly by increasing the amount of bacteria in the lungs.
• Obesity: Two studies have linked obesity to gum disease. It seems that periodontitis progresses faster in the presence of higher body fat.

One thing is clear: the body and the mouth are not separate. “Your body can affect your mouth and likewise, your mouth can affect your body,” says McClain. “Taking good care of your teeth and gums can really help you live longer.” This means brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and getting regular dental cleanings and checkups.

(Dr Nirav D Shah, dentist who also consults Practo)

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