Good oral health is not just the route to an attractive smile – it’s also vital for full-body wellness, according to the latest research
Smiling is a natural boost to wellbeing: the world smiles back, confidence lifts and you feel more positive and energetic. But healthy teeth and gums are about more than having a winning grin to flash in your summer snaps. Research associates poor dental health with a host of serious health issues, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and even dementia.
‘The link between overall body health and oral health is well documented and backed by scientific evidence, but few people realise just how vital it is to clean and care for teeth and gums properly,’ says Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation (dentalhealth.org).
Fortunately, advances in knowledge and dentistry techniques can offer pain-free solutions to common problems, whatever your age or the condition of your teeth.
More than just a bad taste
Gum disease is associated with many conditions that affect the whole body. The main culprit is circulating inflammation, says Dr Ian Dunn of the British Society of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry (bsperio.org.uk).
People with type 2 diabetes are around three times more likely to develop dental problems, and those with type 1 diabetes are also at increased risk. One reason is higher sugar levels in saliva, which can damage blood vessels in the gums, making them more vulnerable to infection. It can work the other way around, too, as gum disease and infection increase blood sugar levels. In the case of cardiovascular disease, it’s known that bacteria from the mouth can pass into the bloodstream as a result of gum disease. According to the European Federation of Periodontology, this could contribute to atherosclerosis, the process where arteries to the heart become narrower or blocked.
Dementia could also be linked with dental health. Some studies suggest that there’s an association between gum disease and a higher risk of decline in memory and thinking skills, plus a higher risk of developing dementia later in life. However, it is still not known if poor oral health is the direct cause.
Root of the problem
The simple message from dental experts is that healthy gums don’t bleed. ‘All gum disease, or gingivitis, is caused by plaque – afilm of bacteria that forms on the surface of the teeth,’ says Dr Carter. If this plaque isn’t removed, it hardens into tartar (calculus) along the gumline and releases harmful poisons so gums become inflamed. Caught early, it’s highly treatable – but untreated it can damage the underlying bo
