Scientists are discovering more and more about the connections
between dental health and the health of our entire body. David Goding
investigates
If our eyes are the windows to our soul, then our teeth may well
be the windows to our health, according to mounting evidence that suggests
there is a strong link between the two
If the scientists are right – and the
evidence is becoming hard to ignore – our oral health can play a big part in
our risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and even the health of a
newborn child. And this may be only the tip of the iceberg.“There’s a whole lot of research out there at the moment trying to focus on the links between oral health and general health in both directions – poor oral health affecting general health and poor general health affecting oral health,” says Dr Matthew Hopcraft, president of the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch Inc.
“It’s not surprising really. The whole body
is connected, but for such a long time we’ve thought about the mouth as being a
separate part of the body and that dentist’s work in isolation from the rest of
the body. That clearly doesn’t make any sense anymore, anatomically or
physiologically.”
CHRONIC DISEASES, TIED TO OUR TEETH
Our mouths are home to millions of microorganisms and while most of them are harmless, some cause tooth decay and oral infections. As most of us know, this can translate to cavities—followed by the nasty sound of the dentist’s drill. But it can also lead to more serious health problems.
Our mouths are home to millions of microorganisms and while most of them are harmless, some cause tooth decay and oral infections. As most of us know, this can translate to cavities—followed by the nasty sound of the dentist’s drill. But it can also lead to more serious health problems.
KNEE
ARTHRITIS
A 2012
study suggested oral bacteria
may contribute to some cases of knee osteoarthritis and rheumatoid
arthritis. The researchers tested the synovial fluid, which is found in the
joints, of 36 people with knee arthritis. Five of the patients had gum bacteria
in their fluid. For two of the patients, the bacteria found in the joint fluid
were a genetic match to bacteria found in the mouth.
Bacteria
in the joints could exacerbate arthritis, the researchers said. However,
because the study was small, more research is needed to prove that mouth
bacteria can cause or worsen arthritis.
RESPIRATORY
ILLNESS
Bacteria
in the mouth may also find their way to the lungs if a person breathes in tooth
plaque, Ratcliffe said. This may cause pneumonia or other severe respiratory
disease. The risk for this happening is highest in people with underlying
conditions, such as conditions that compromise the immune system, he said.
Bacteria
in the airways can also worsen chronic lung conditions, such as emphysema,
according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Often,
people might not think about the ways that their oral health affects the
rest of their body.
Therefore,
oral health and general health should not be interpreted as separate
entities. Our
mouths are full of bacteria, various types of plaque, and bio films. Oral
health is an integral part of general health and is essential to the overall
health and well being of man and animals. When we have plaque in our mouth, it
can play havoc with other parts of our bodies because of bacteria and the
inflammation it can cause.
BENEFITS OF OIL PULLINGOil pulling therapy with coconut oil reduces plaque, halitosis and gingivitis. Other health benefits can include whiter teeth, better digestion, and clearer skin, and some Ayurvedic practitioners and naturopaths believe it helps with heart disease and hormone imbalances.
By swishing and sucking the oil around your mouth and through your teeth, the oil pulls at hard-to-reach plaque from your teeth and gums. Like an oily mouth massage, your teeth should feel cleaner, your breath sweeter and fresher.
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