What if we told you that the leading cause of death in the United States was something directly associated with not brushing your teeth? That might sound a bit dramatic, but the fact of the matter is true. Poor oral health has been clearly linked with coronary artery disease, the most common form of heart disease. And can you guess what the number one cause of death for men and women of most races and ethnicities in the U.S. is? That’s right. It’s heart disease.

This isn’t just an isolated anomaly, either. Poor oral health can contribute to a host of other problems. On the other hand, good oral health is a sign that your overall health may be in good shape. The truth is, we tend to think of the mouth as separate from the rest of our health. After all, we go to the dentist for our teeth, and the regular doctor for the rest of our body! But this divided thinking is misguided. Oral health has direct consequences to overall health, and vice versa. By understanding the connection between the two, we will be better equipped to make positive choices for both.

How Oral and Overall Go Hand in Hand

Have you ever thought about how much bacteria is hanging out in your mouth? Estimates vary, but there’s somewhere around 6 million bacteria in each person’s mouth at any given time. If you’re tempted to think how gross that is, you can rest assured that lots of it is harmless and well-regulated.

But sometimes, things get out of hand. If bacteria grows in your mouth beyond what is controlled and healthy, that’s bad news for your entire system, because guess what—your mouth is the access point for your whole body. As Guardian Life explains, if this happens, “…bacteria can multiply, enter the bloodstream, and spread to other parts of the body.”

A few of the specific health problems that can result from poor dental health include:

Endocarditis.

Guardian Life explains further, “This is an infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers or valves, which can occur when bacteria or germs from your mouth spread through your bloodstream and attach to specific areas in your heart.”

Clogged arteries.

If you have periodontal disease, you are at higher risk for plaque building up in the blood vessels that transport essentials like oxygen throughout your body.

Birth and pregnancy complications.

Severe forms of gum disease have shown correlation with premature birth.

Stroke.

Similarly, severe gum disease has been linked to the occurrence of strokes.

Pneumonia.

When bacteria from the mouth finds its way into the lungs, pneumonia and other respiratory issues can develop.

Poor oral health also may worsen existing conditions, such as diabetes. Professionals are continually uncovering connections between your mouth and the rest of your body’s health.  And the connection works both ways—not only does dental health impact the rest of your body, but negative overall health factors may worsen your dental health. For instance, the CDC notes that, “Tobacco use and diabetes are two risk factors for gum disease.”

We’ve gotten just a surface-level glimpse at how closely intertwined your oral health is with the health of your entire system. It’s pretty neat stuff! While we may compartmentalize taking care of our teeth separate from the rest of our body, in reality, it’s not a separate matter at all. What you do to one has a real impact on the other.

Starting Small

            It’s clear that your oral health is not isolated from your systemic health. How you take care of your mouth affects your body, and vice versa.

            In light of this, it should be all the more important for us to prioritize preventative care. Seeing how closely intertwined our dental health is with the rest of our body helps us recognize that when we brush our teeth or take the time to floss, we aren’t just following instructions from the dentist—we’re making an investment in the health of our entire person.

            Of course, we ought to fix problems when they arise. Getting cavities filled, root canals done, and crowns put on are a somewhat inevitable part of life. But how much better would it be to stop those problems before they could even arise? By prioritizing diligence in our dental health routine, we could promote a healthy mouth and a healthy body.

            The evidence backs this up. The ADA points out that finding direct causality between something like periodontitis (advanced gum disease) and systemic conditions is elusive. But several associations remain, and the ADA states clearly that, “Periodontal and systemic diseases share many common risk factors, including smoking and a poor diet.”

             By reducing risk factors such as these, we protect both oral and overall health. By prioritizing preventative care, you make an investment in not just strong teeth, but a healthy body for years to come.

            A few important ways you can prioritize your oral health are:

• Following ADA recommendations for oral hygiene, including brushing twice a day for two minutes and flossing at least once
• Speaking to your dentist about whether you have enough fluoride intake
• Seeing the dentist regularly

If you have any questions about what you should be doing for your oral health or how your oral health can impact your systemic health, speak to your dentist today.