The Link Between Oral Health And Overall Wellness

According to The World Health Organization (WHO), good oral health is the key to many vital areas of life, like speaking, eating, and breathing. Therefore, it is an indispensable part of overall health and well-being.

Some people can misconceive that oral health can never intersect with one’s overall health. However, our oral and overall health are closely linked as our mouth, through which we get oxygen and nutrients, is the access point to our inner body and organs.

This blog post thoroughly explores the connection between oral and general health. It explains how this relationship arises and how oral health affects overall well-being. 

How Is Our Oral Health Linked To Our Overall Health?

The human body is an extremely complex system. Different body parts and organs function for many different tasks. All these tasks and responsible body parts are interconnected, as evidenced by a growing body of research. For example, a recent study published in Clinical and Experimental Dental Research showed that chronic inflammation in the gums can lead to various chronic diseases. 

Another interesting thing about oral and overall health is that the relationship is bidirectional. This means that anything that happens to our oral health might affect our overall well-being, and our medical conditions can impact our oral health. Thus, it is important to consider this interconnection in both ways.

How Does Our Oral Health Impact Overall Health?

Poor oral health is linked to a wide range of further problems with your overall well-being. Here are some of the most remarkable ones:

Bacterial Infection

Teeth with gum diseases or cavities are more likely to harbor bacteria than healthy ones. Bacteria in your mouth can enter the inner body and travel to other parts through the bloodstream, which leads to bacterial infections.

Chronic Diseases

Dental problems, particularly gum diseases, can cause chronic health problems. Arised from inflammation in the gum tissue, periodontitis can increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease…etc. 

Nutritional Problems

Dental problems often result in difficulties in biting and chewing. When these issues persist, some patients might not enjoy eating. Unfortunately, this can cause eating and nutrition disorders and a lack of essential vitamins and minerals.

Pregnancy Problems

Pregnant women with gum disease can have a higher risk of low birth weight and premature birth.

Other Issues

Poor dental health can affect social life by creating mouth ulcers or bad breath. People with such problems tend to have lower self-esteem.

How Does Our Overall Health Impact Oral Health?

Our overall health condition can have effects on the dental health, too. Here are the two most common issues you should know:

Chronic Health Issues

Certain chronic diseases, such as diabetes, can affect the immune system, making people more vulnerable to oral infections or dental problems.

Medications

Some medications can make your mouth dry. A dry mouth makes you more susceptible to gum disease and cavities.

How Can Oral Health Benefit Overall Well-Being?

Maintaining proper dental care and oral health brings many health benefits through…

• Reducing inflammation
• Improving immune system
• Providing better food intake
• Reducing the risk of complications during pregnancy
• Helping overall well-being

How Can I Maintain A Good Oral Health?

Here are some of the most practical tips to help you maintain your oral health:

• Brush your teeth effectively. An ideal toothbrush should take two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss your teeth daily to make sure no plaque or bacteria survive between them.
• Attend your regular dental checkups.
• Adopt a healthy diet.
• Don’t smoke or use other tobacco products.

 

What Melsadent Offers For Oral Health?

Melsadent is an outstanding dental clinic in the Tuzla district of İstanbul, Turkey. The clinic offers the highest quality to patients from all over the world. Thanks to the advanced dental technology, dentists and technicians at Melsadent can successfully perform even the most complicated dental treatments, such as dental implants or root canals. 

If you want to ensure your overall health by maintaining proper oral health, contact Melsadent now. The team will give you the perfect care and treatment at affordable prices.