The connection between oral health and overall health
Our mouth, or oral cavity, is the entry point of our digestive system and is a mirror of our overall health.
Let us know more about it.
Let us begin with the most healthy scenario, wherein if you have all the teeth in place and are functioning really well with healthy gums around you, you are more likely to have a healthy body. The reason for the same is that proper chewing of food leads to a proper beginning of the digestive process. This ensures complete absorption of all the nutrients, including minerals and vitamins. This results in perfect overall internal health.
Oral Signs Of Underlying Health Issues
- If you have bleeding gums around your teeth, this could be because of a deficiency of vitamin C in your diet. This deficiency of vitamin C can also lead to vague muscle weakness, lithargy, lassitude, et cetera. Vitamin C is important for the maintenance of connective tissues in our body. Sore, bleeding gums can be one of the most important signs of general health issues due to vitamin C deficiency.
- Diabetes melitus is a Systemic disorder that has its effects in the oral cavity. Red, swollen gums and Mobility in the teeth are quite common in diabetic patients. Diabetes can all cause dry mouth, and this reduced amount of saliva can cause more cavities in teeth. Hence, the diabetic patient needs to take extra care when it comes to the hygiene and maintenance of the oral cavity.
- Acid reflux (acidity) can cause bad breath or a burning sensation in the mouth. It can also cause Redness of the tongue and uvula. The teeth tend to get abraded because of the acidic oral environment. Such abrasion of teeth has reduced enamel thickness, and hence such teeth show increased sensitivity to temperature changes.
Now that we have seen how our overall health can also affect our oral cavity, let us see how dysfunction in the oral cavity affects our overall health. First, let’s understand the digestive mechanism.
Food gets ground inside the mouth by teeth, and simultaneously, it mixes with saliva.
Our saliva contains various enzymes like salivary amylase, salivary lipase, etc. These enzymes play a vital role in initiating our digestive process.
The mixture of saliva and food forms a bolus, which then moves through the oesophagus and reaches the stomach.
In the stomach, the acid is secreted, and it disintegrates the food into different parts. The nutrients are absorbed by the stomach, and the rest of things start moving down towards the intestine.
Through the small and large intestines, food moves in peristaltic movement. Simultaneously, the nutrients are getting absorbed back into the blood circulation. And waste is formed in the form of stool. Stool is excreted.
So A lack of an adequate number of teeth or unhealthy teeth can hamper efficient chewing, hampering the entire digestive process. This can lead to excess acid secretion in the stomach,causing gastric ulceration. In addition to that, the intestines cannot absorb and assimilate incompletely digested nutrients.
This can cause multiple deficiencies and a decline in overall health.
Replacement of missing teeth and restoration of decayed teeth are therefore recommended to avoid their detrimental effects on overall health.
If you are facing any of these problems and please visit our dental office ” Microdent Dentistry ®”
Visit our website for more details about every dental treatment mentioned above. And feel free to call for an appointment at 7264008000.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How is oral health connected to overall health?
Oral health directly affects overall health since the mouth is the entry point to the digestive system. Poor oral hygiene can lead to infections that may impact the heart, lungs, and digestive system.
2. Can gum disease affect other parts of the body?
Yes. Untreated gum disease can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes complications, and respiratory infections.
3. What health conditions can show early signs in the mouth?
Conditions like diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, acid reflux, and certain infections often show oral signs such as bleeding gums, dry mouth, and enamel erosion.
4. How does diabetes affect oral health?
Diabetes can cause swollen gums, tooth mobility, and dry mouth, increasing the risk of cavities and gum infections.
5. Can missing teeth impact digestion?
Yes. Missing or damaged teeth can lead to improper chewing, poor digestion, and reduced nutrient absorption, affecting overall health.
6. Why do bleeding gums indicate vitamin deficiency?
Bleeding gums may indicate a deficiency of Vitamin C, which is essential for maintaining strong connective tissues and gum health.
7. How can poor oral health cause acidity or bad breath?
Incomplete chewing or bacterial growth in the mouth can increase acid formation, leading to acidity, bad breath, and digestive discomfort.
8. Where can I find a good dentist near Garware College, Pune?
Visit Microdent Dentistry®, Kothrud Pune, near Nal Stop, Karve Road. Call +91 7264008000 for expert dental consultation and treatment.
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+91 7264008000 / +91 9021681032
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Microdent Dentistry® – Kothrud, Pune
Ground Floor, block 4,Sarvadarshan Housing Society Opposite. Saraswat Bank,Nal Stop, Karve Road, Kothrud, Pune, Maharashtra 411004
