Watch Your Mouth!

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More than just tools for processing food, your mouth and teeth are team players in your physical and psychological health

Lisa Van de Geyn

Sink your teeth into this. Regular visits to your dentist are just as important for your overall health as watching your weight, exercising, eating a balanced diet and butting out. Mounting evidence shows that gum and other oral diseases are comparable to smoking, obesity and high cholesterol in the number of health problems they’re linked to — including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and cancer.

The kicker? Dentists are often the first to find these problems just by looking in your mouth. (And you thought a free toothbrush was the biggest perk at your six-month checkup.) “We know that good oral care contributes to better health overall. A healthier mouth means a healthier body,” says Dr. Paul Sclodnick, a dentist based in Maple, Ont. And besides the physical problems posed by an unhealthy set of choppers, poor oral health packs a psychological punch: it can affect your self-esteem and your enjoyment of life.

Cardiovascular health

Brushing and flossing can protect you from cardiovascular disease, clogged arteries and stroke. Research published in the Journal of Periodontology shows that bacteria caused by gum disease can enter the bloodstream and pass through the arteries to the heart. A study reported in the Journal of Dental Research has linked periodontal disease to a higher risk of blood clots, which could lead to both heart attack and stroke. According to Sclodnick, it’s important for your dentist to get your full medical history, including any diseases that run in your family and any medications you’re taking. This information will help him keep track of what’s going on in your mouth. He can advise you to speak to your physician if he notices any signs that suggest medical conditions.

Diabetes

People with diabetes are more susceptible to cavities, gum disease and tooth loss. And, in turn, oral infections can make diabetes harder to control because of increased levels of blood-borne bacteria that cause blood sugar levels to rise. While the link between diabetes and poor oral health has been acknowledged for years, a study published in Diabetes Care confirms that people diagnosed with periodontal disease (severe gum disease) have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Other oral problems faced by those with diabetes include dry mouth (which can cause cavities) and thrush (a fungal infection). New research in the Journal of Dental Research shows that women with inflammatory gum disease are more likely to develop gestational diabetes, possibly because of an association between inflammation and impaired blood sugar control.

Osteoporosis

Those routine dental X-rays may show more than cavities — they may detect bone loss and poor bone density in the jaw that could signal a risk for underlying bone problems elsewhere, especially in older people, according to the U.S. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases in Bethesda, Md., and research at the University of Buffalo.

Oral cancer

This malignancy occurs on the lips, tongue, tonsils and back of the throat. Dentists can detect it in exams by spotting red or white patches on the gums and inside the mouth, swelling in the jaw and sores that won’t heal. “Screening for oral cancer can often pick up health issues that have been previously missed,” says Sclodnick. “I once felt a swelling in the thyroid area of a patient during a routine dental checkup and immediately referred her to her medical doctor for investigation. This resulted in early treatment for a thyroid tumour.”

Pregnancy

Book a visit with your dentist before you conceive. A study from the Chapel Hill School of Medicine in North Carolina found a link between maternal periodontal disease and the development of pre-eclampsia, a serious condition that includes elevated maternal blood pressure. And, according to Health Canada, pregnant women with gingivitis or periodontitis have a higher risk of delivering premature or low-birth-weight babies because of harmful oral bacteria that can invade the placenta or amniotic fluid. It’s best to enter pregnancy with healthy gums, but if a pregnant woman has gum disease, regular visits to the dentist will help to keep her mouth as healthy as possible.

Sinusitis

In rare cases, loose or infected upper teeth and inflamed gums can provide points of entry for bacteria into the sinus cavities. This can lead to chronic infection, particularly in the maxillary sinus. “The roots of infected upper teeth have been known to penetrate weakened bone around the sinus. And in some people, the roots go into the sinus by natural anatomy,” says Dr. Simon McGrail, an otolaryngologist based in Wolfville, N.S.

Low self-esteem

You’re not alone if you’ve ever wished for a celebrity-esque smile, but poor oral health won’t get you there. And it can fuel a lack of confidence and an impaired sense of self-worth. A study in the Journal of Community Health Nursing reports that 53% of people with minor or major dental problems suffer from low self-esteem.

“Studies have shown that people with attractive smiles are more confident and successful in their personal and business lives,” says Sclodnick. “There are many new options available today to improve your smile. These range from conservative methods, such as tooth whitening, to more sophisticated treatments, such as porcelain veneers, implants and crowns, all of which can improve the colour, shape and size of your teeth.”

Linked: Oral and Overall Health

Headaches and migraines may be caused by sore teeth, oral infections, and grinding and clenching the teeth.

Psychological well-being Poor gums and dentition, bad breath and an embarrassing smile can affect your self-esteem and general enjoyment of life.

Chronic sinusitis can sometimes be caused by oral bacteria entering the sinus
cavities via infected teeth.

Inflammatory bowel disease may be heralded by swollen inner cheeks and gums.

Osteoporosis Older people, especially women, with tooth and jaw bone loss may
be at greater risk of bone loss elsewhere.

Cardiovascular disease Poor oral hygiene raises your risk of clogged arteries, blood clots, heart disease and stroke.

Pregnancy Women with gum disease are at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes and of delivering preterm and/or low-birth-weight babies.

Kidney disease may be present in the case of halitosis and jaw bone loss.

Earaches in adults (called referred ear pain) can be caused by bad teeth.

Diabetes Gum disease increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and makes existing diabetes harder to control.