Oral Health

is Linked to
Overall
Health

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Your Mouth Gateway to your

Body
Takinggood care of your mouth, teeth and gums is a
worthy goal in and of itself. Good oral and dental hygiene
can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay and gum
diseaseand can help you keep your teeth as you get
older.
Researchers are also discovering new reasons to brush
and floss. A healthy mouth may help you ward off medical
disorders. The flip side? An unhealthy mouth, especially if
you have gum disease, may increase your risk of serious
health problems such as heart attack, stroke, poorly
controlled diabetes and preterm labor.

Studies also suggest that oral bacteria and the

inflammation associated with periodontitis a severe

1. Oral
Health &
Diabetes

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1. Oral Health &

Diabetes
Theworking relationship betweendiabetesand
periodontitis may be the strongest of all the connections
between the mouth and body. Inflammation that starts in
the mouth seems to weaken the bodys ability to
controlblood sugar. People with diabetes have trouble
processing sugar because of a lack ofinsulin, the
hormone that converts sugar into energy.
Diabetes reduces the body's resistance to infection
putting the gums at risk. Gum disease appears to be more
frequent and severe among people who have diabetes.
Research shows that people who have gum disease have
a harder time controlling their blood sugar levels.

2. Oral Health &

Heart Disease

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2. Oral Health &

Heart Disease

Someresearch suggests that heart disease, clogged

arteries and stroke might be linked to the inflammation
and infections that oral bacteria can cause.
Though the reasons are not fully understood, its clear
that gum disease andheart diseaseoften go hand in
hand. Up to 91% of patientswith heartdiseasehave
periodontitis, compared to 66% of people withno
heartdisease. The two conditions have several risk
factors in common, such assmoking, unhealthy diet,
and excessweight.

3. Oral Health &

Osteoporosis

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3. Oral Health &

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis which causes bones to become weak and

brittle might be linked with periodontal bone loss and
tooth loss.
When you have rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, you probably
know all too well about the pain, stiffness, and swelling of
the joints that come with the condition.But you might not
know thatRA also brings a greater likelihood of tooth
decay and gum disease.
Gum disease is quite common in the general population,
but it's even more prevalent amongpeople with
RA.Bacteria in the mouth form plaque, or build up on the
teeth, that irritates the gums and causes gum disease
called gingivitis. If not treated properly by your
dentist,gingivitis can progress to the more serious
periodontitis, which can lead to tooth and gum decay.

4. Oral Health &

Pregnancy

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4. Oral Health &

Pregnancy

Babiesborn too early or at a low birth weight often have

significant health problems, includinglungconditions,
heart conditions, and learning disorders. While many
factors can contribute to premature or low birth weight
deliveries, researchers are looking at the possible role of
gum disease. Infection and inflammation in general seem
to interfere with afetus development in the womb.
Though men have periodontitis more often than women
do, hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase a
womans risk.

5. Oral Health &

Respiratory
Disease

5. Oral Health &

Respiratory
Disease

Periodontaldisease may makepneumoniaandchronic

obstructive pulmonary diseaseworse, possibly by
increasing the amount of bacteria in the lungs.

How Can you

Protect Your Oral
Health
To protect your oral health, practice
good oral hygiene every day. For
example:
Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
Flossdaily -Flossing is a significant part
of daily oral care. Healthbuddy dental
floss pick provides a total clean to the
teeth with an easy-to-use design which
makes it more user-friendly. It helps in
removing plaque and food particles
between theteeth.
Eata healthy diet and limit betweenmeal snacks.
Replace your toothbrush every three to
four months or sooner if bristles are
frayed.
Schedule regular dental checkups.