Does Oral Health Affect Your General Health?

Quick question – when was the last time you flossed? If you can’t remember, consider this your official sign to rededicate yourself to dental hygiene. While a couple of cavities might seem like no big deal, there are several connections between your oral health and your overall health. Here’s how your oral health affects your general health – plus, the best dental hygiene practices to start, today.

How are oral health and general health connected?

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Think of your oral health as a mirror of your general health. Oftentimes, good oral health is an indication of a disease-free body. On the other hand, poor oral health - including symptoms like bad breath, dry mouth, tooth fractures, jaw pain, inflamed gums - can point towards certain diseases or risk factors.

At the most basic level, brushing and flossing consistently are important for flushing bacteria out of your body. Without these good dental hygiene habits, you put yourself at risk for bacteria entering your body and causing further infections, like tooth decay and gum disease.

And remember the inflammation we’ve been talking about? Gum disease is a common form of inflammation, and chronic inflammation in the mouth can allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream and spread inflammation throughout other body parts. In general, the mouth can be a portal to bad bacteria entering your body, so taking care of your teeth and gums is essential to preventing disease.

On the flip side, many diseases and disorders can negatively impact your oral health. Diabetes, for example, reduces your body’s resistance to infection, which puts you at greater risk for gum infection. Gum disease tends to be more common and more acute among people with diabetes.

Finally, certain medications can affect the amount of saliva your body produces – and yes, that’s kind of a big deal. Here’s why: your saliva is instrumental in rinsing away foods and neutralizing acids in your mouth, so it acts as a layer of defense against disease-causing microbes. Decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers, diuretics and antidepressants can all reduce saliva flow.

Best dental hygiene practices for good health

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Optimizing your health starts with your mouth. Add these dental hygiene practices to your routine for better overall health.

Brush and floss twice a day. Brushing for two minutes at a time using a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush. Make sure you’re brushing at a 45-degree angle to the gums, gently moving your brush back and forth against each tooth. Don’t forget to brush (or scrape) your tongue! Additionally, electric toothbrushes work really well as they have a 2 minute timer and have been shown to remove more plaque.

Limit sugary beverages and snacks. Plaque bacteria uses the sugar in these processed foods and drinks to produce acids that attack the enamel of your teeth. Sugar also attracts the bacteria that causes gum disease, which can cause your gums to recede from your teeth and lead to a higher risk of decay and infection. A precision medicine doctor can help you come up with ways to reduce your sugar intake and still get the flavors you crave.

Ask your precision medicine doctor about your specific risk for oral health diseases. While you might have to wait a year between dental appointments, your precision medicine doctor can provide quick, convenient guidance about how your oral health is affecting your overall health. For example, review your current medications and the side effects they might have on your oral health. Or, dive into your personal profile and discuss whether any of your health issues (like osteoporosis, heart disease, and more) put you at greater risk for oral health problems. From there, you and your precision medicine team can make a proactive plan to optimize your oral health and your general health.