Did you know that the health of the mouth influences the rest of the body with a range of medical conditions affected by, or affecting, oral health?
Join us for Dental Health Week 7-13 August, as we look at the links between poor oral health and general health.
Almost half of the Australian population has one or more chronic diseases and yet 70% of people are not aware of the link between their oral health and chronic medical conditions.
Oral diseases are connected to:
Type 2 Diabetes
Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes
Heart Diseases
Gut Issues
Lung Conditions
Alzheimer’s Disease
Strong Connections
There is a particularly strong link between severe gum disease and conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
Heart Disease
Bacteria from severe gum disease can spread through the bloodstream contributing to build up within arteries and other blood vessels.
Diabetes
Severe gum disease is now considered to be the 6th issue with diabetes. It makes controlling diabetes harder and diabetes will make gum disease worse.
Growing Connections
Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes
Bacterial changes from gum disease can spread to the placenta leading to possible preterm delivery, pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure) or low birth weight.
Aspiration Pneumonia
Bacteria from the mouth in patients who cannot swallow easily has been inhaled leading to disease in the lungs.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Bacteria from severe gum disease has been found in brain plaques that have led to the development of Alzheimer’s disease and decline in memory.
Early Connections
Gut Diseases
There is early evidence showing that both diseases make one another worse due to increasing the body’s total inflammation and bacteria from the mouth can travel to the gut that can worsen any gut issues.
Lung Conditions including COVID-19
Bacteria from the mouth can be inhaled into the lungs, with the bad bacteria from gum disease leading to worsened conditions in the lung.
If you have any questions or it’s time for your check-up call us to book your appointment – Mitcham on 9874 0077 or Ringwood on 9879 2685.