Dear Valued Patients,

As we celebrate World Oral Health Day, we embrace the theme for 2024 "A Happy Mouth is A Happy Body" with a profound acknowledgment of the pivotal role oral health plays in our overall well-being. Today, we unite to recognize that the path to a healthier body begins with nurturing a vibrant smile. In this spirit, we embark on a journey to foster awareness, promote preventive care, and champion the profound interconnectedness between oral health and systemic wellness.

 

The oral cavity is packed with bacteria, mostly harmless. With good oral hygiene, these germs are in a controlled environment and does not pose any problem. Gum disease will only occur when oral hygiene care is not satisfactory.

 

This infection produces inflammation of the gums and our understanding now is that the link of gum disease and other diseases of the body is due to this inflammation, not bacteria as believed earlier.

 

Gum disease

 

Gum (periodontal) disease is by far the most common oral infection. It is a group of conditions that cause inflammation and loss of teeth. Gum disease is caused by bacteria found in dental plaque with chronic infection and inflammation.

 

Inflammation has been found to be the common factor in gum disease and the other systemic diseases. There is both a local inflammatory response in the gums and a systemic inflammatory response throughout the body in people who also suffer from one of the diseases linked to gum disease.

 

Furthermore, both gum and systemic diseases share common risk factors such as smoking, impaired immune system function, obesity and high stress.

 

Systemic diseases that may be linked with gum disease

 

1. Diabetes

 

People with diabetes are more likely to have gum disease, probably because of the body’s reduced resistance to infection. In fact, gum disease may be considered as one of complications of diabetes. People who have uncontrolled diabetes may develop more frequent and severe infections than do people who have good blood sugar control.

 

Research has suggested that the relationship between gum disease and diabetes goes both ways. Gum disease may make control of blood sugar more difficult among people who have diabetes. It is because infection anywhere in the body can raise the blood sugar level, requiring more insulin to keep it in check. This contributes to increased periods of time when the body functions with a high blood sugar thus increasing the risk for diabetic complications.

 

2. Cardiovascular disease (e.g. Heart disease and stroke)

 

There is increasing evidence that chronic infections such as gum disease are associated with cardiovascular diseases. Having long-term gum disease may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Research suggests that the bacteria and chemicals from gum disease can travel through the bloodstream to the blood vessels of the heart and other parts of the body. They could trigger a cycle of inflammation and with narrowing of the blood vessels. This contributes to heart attacks and strokes. Oral bacteria can also cause blood clots, thus, increasing the likelihood of strokes.

 

Many researchers and clinicians think that inflammation is even more harmful to the cardiovascular system than the most established, classic risk factors, such as high LDL cholesterol. The link between inflammation and heart disease helps explain why almost half of all people who develop heart disease do not have any of the well-known risk factors for the disease, other than high levels of inflammation.

 

3. Complications of pregnancy

 

All infections including gum disease are causes for concern among pregnant women because they pose a risk to the health of the baby. Pregnant women who have gum disease may be more likely to have a baby that is born too early and with low birth weight. However, the exact association is not clear. More research is needed to confirm how gum disease may affect pregnancy outcomes.

 

4. Respiratory

 

Recent research suggests that bacteria found in the throat and mouth, can be drawn into the lower respiratory tract. This can cause infections or worsen existing lung conditions. An increase in dental plaque may place these individuals to be at greater risk for respiratory infections especially in people with severe compromised health, in frail elderly people and in patients with chronic pulmonary disease.  People with respiratory diseases, suffer from reduced protective systems, making it difficult to eliminate bacteria from the lungs. Having serious gum disease and lung problems, inhaling (aspirating) bacteria from the mouth into the lungs may result in aspiration pneumonia, a condition that’s especially common in hospitals where patients may be sedated or have tracheal tubes. Improving oral hygiene might reduce the risk of pneumonia among people at risk.

 

Good Oral Health Practice

Most common oral diseases are tooth decay and gum disease which can be prevented through good oral health practice.

 

Why is good oral health practice important?

Good oral health practice is focused on 3 main preventive measures.

 

1. Good oral hygiene care :

Brush teeth thoroughly every day especially after meals and before bed.

Use children’s fluoridated toothpaste – small pea-sized amount for children above 2 years of age.

Supervise your children to brush their teeth until the age of 6-8 years old.

Rinse mouth immediately after eating or drinking if brushing is not possible.

Never share a toothbrush.

Change the toothbrush when the bristles start to splay.

 

 

2. Proper dietary habit :

Eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Avoid adding sugar in your child’s drink. Where a bottle is used as a pacifier, it should only contain unsweetened drinks.

Never dip the pacifier into sugar or sweet liquid.

Avoid fizzy drinks and sweetened fruit juices as they have high sugar content.

Read more on sugar intake and oral health

 

3. Regular dental check-ups :

Start taking your child to the dentist for dental check-ups at an early age to familiarise him with the dental clinic.

A visit to the dentist is recommended at least once a year but for those who are at high risk of tooth decay (dental caries), the visits may be more often.

Attend to dental injuries immediately; let your dentist evaluate the problem(s). This will ensure that appropriate treatment is started sooner rather than later. Delay in getting treatment will affect chances of healing.

 

So, daily brushing with flossing and regular check-ups can greatly reduce the chance of developing gum disease and improve overall health. Don't wait until it's too late to take care of your smile. Schedule your dental check-up at our dental clinic today and take the first step towards a healthier, happier you!

 

Normah Dental Clinic hours:

Monday – Friday : 8.30am – 4.30pm

Saturday : 8.30am – 1.00pm

(Close on Sundays & Public Holidays)

 

Your smile deserves nothing but the best – trust us to keep it shining bright!




This article was contributed by Dr Alvin Kiew Seng Soon