Your dental health and general health are connected.

Your mouth helps you to speak, eat a wide variety of foods and is important for your self-confidence and overall well-being.

Untreated dental disease can lead to pain and infection. Individuals with dental pain may have difficulty chewing and digesting food. They may have trouble sleeping and their self-esteem may be affected. Although researchers are just beginning to uncover this relationship, increasing evidence shows a connection between oral health and general health and well-being.

Gum disease has been linked to several diseases including:

Diabetes: There is a strong link between gum disease and diabetes. People with diabetes are not only more at risk of gum disease, but gum disease can also affect the severity of their diabetes.1

Cardiovascular disease: There is new research that points to a possible connection between gum disease and heart disease and stroke.1

Respiratory illness: The same bacteria found in plaque can also be inhaled into the lungs where they may cause an infection or aggravate any existing lung condition, especially in older adults.1

Cognitive decline: A 2018 study demonstrated a statistically significant association between prevalence of periodontitis (gum inflammation) and cognitive decline in older adults.2

Pre-term, low birth weight babies: Studies are also examining whether pregnant women with gum disease may be at a higher risk of delivering pre-term, low birth weight babies than women without gum disease.1

Cancer: Researchers found that men with gum disease were 49% more likely to develop kidney cancer, 54% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer, and 30% more likely to develop blood cancers.3

Chronic Kidney Disease: A 2018 review of multiple studies identified a statistically relevant association between gum disease and chronic kidney disease progression.4

A decline in general health can also impact your oral health. Many medications cause dry mouth which can increase an individual's risk of disease. Older adults may have difficulty caring for their teeth due to multiple factors (such as arthritis or dementia) which can lead to a rapid decline in their dental health.

Brushing twice daily, flossing, eating a balanced diet and visiting your dentist regularly can benefit your oral and overall health. Ensure you talk to your dentist about any health-related concerns, and always update them on any changes to your health and medications you may be taking

References

  1. Health Canada. Smile: Healthy Teeth, Healthy Body
  2. Journal of Clinical Periodontology. Longitudinal evaluation of periodontitis and development of cognitive decline among older adults
  3. American Academy of Periodontology website. Gum Disease and Other Systemic Diseases
  4. Oral Diseases. Association between periodontitis and chronic kidney disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis