Improved dental health equals improved general health. This is a proven fact.
The interrelation between dental and oral health and the whole organism’s health has been proven in both directions. Scientific studies show a close connection. On the one hand, diseases and bacteria in the mouth can cause infections in other organs or reinforce existing ones. On the other hand, certain conditions outside the mouth can also affect dental health. The bottom line is that oral health and general health are inextricably linked. Therefore, the care of oral health is not a negligible sideline of life.
Mouth as a distribution center
The mouth is one of the most important gates to our organism. Food, liquids, and also the air we breathe get into the body. If there is poor oral health, this entrance gate can serve as a distribution center for bacteria and viruses, which can lead to impairments and diseases in a wide variety of body regions. It is, therefore, generally the case that improved dental health usually also means improved general health.
Oral health in old age is particularly important. The human body is networked with the chewing apparatus and teeth via energy channels (meridian system). Because of the interaction, diseases caused by dental foci can trigger symptoms and reactions in the whole body or vice versa.
Oral health is also essential for children. Even if children recover quickly from inflammation or injury due to their excellent regenerative power and the entire immune system, children’s teeth should receive the same attention and attention as the permanent teeth. The milk teeth play an essential role as a placeholder for the permanent teeth when changing teeth, and general health benefits from intact oral health.
The bottom line is that maintaining oral health is an essential contribution to general health, and a healthy mouth is a primary component of human well-being.
How can poorly cared for teeth or diseases in the mouth cause health damage?
Oral bacteria from inflammation spots, gum pockets, or dental plaque can get into the bloodstream through inhalation and then settle on other body organs. Dead teeth, inflamed tooth roots, and wisdom tooth problems can also contribute to the development or development of diseases.
Periodontitis is one of the risk factors for heart diseases (e.g., heart attack), vascular diseases (e.g., stroke, arteriosclerosis), lung diseases (e.g., pneumonia) or diabetes, especially in people with a weakened immune system. In the case of heart diseases, for example, the risk can increase up to four times.
Also, a higher risk consists of oral bacteria for joint diseases (rheumatoid arthritis) or in pregnant women for premature babies with reduced birth weight. Caution should be exercised when wearing artificial joints or replacing heart valves.
Infected teeth are sometimes considered a trigger or co-cause for multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatism, migraines, or circulatory problems. Even with potency problems, diseased teeth can have an impact, since chronic inflammation favors the development of vascular calcification. Good blood supply to the penis is required for an erection, and vascular changes can have very negative consequences.
Even back and headaches can always be attributed to bad teeth. For various reasons, people disregard their infected teeth and stop chewing according to their natural bite for a long time due to toothache. Due to this unnatural chewing behavior, the muscles in the neck and back area can be over stressed or tense and thus become the source of headaches or back pain.
How can diseases or changes in the body endanger oral health?
Certain diseases can increase the risk of oral health problems. Therefore, talk to your dentist, for example, you have the following conditions:
- Diabetes – People with diabetes have an increased risk of periodontal disease, and the disease may progress faster than in people without diabetes.
- Dementia / Parkinson’s – As the disease progresses, brushing skills can decrease, so the need for dental care support increases.
- Cardiovascular diseases – Dry mouth is not uncommon in cardiovascular diseases due to reduced salivation. Without the cleaning function of the saliva, there is a higher risk of caries, since bacteria can multiply more quickly in the mouth. See also prevention for seniors
- Stroke – Similar to dementia, a stroke may affect your ability to brush your teeth and swallow independently. This may require more support in dental care.
- Any oral pain associated with temporomandibular joint pain.
What effects can medication have on oral health?
Oral health can also be negatively affected by taking medication. With certain drugs, dry mouth occurs as a side effect. Therefore, inform your dentist, especially when taking medication in connection with the following diseases:
- diabetes mellitus
- dementia
- epilepsy
- depressions
- high blood pressure
- rheumatism
- pain
- allergies
Another example of the interplay between general health and oral health is the increased risk of periodontitis due to hormone changes during pregnancy or the menopause, or due to poorly adjusted blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. There is increased inflammation in the mouth.