By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: The Link Between Dental Health And Overall Health
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > Dental health > The Link Between Dental Health And Overall Health
Dental healthHome Health

The Link Between Dental Health And Overall Health

emilyfolk
emilyfolk
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

  Brushing and flossing are obviously important in preserving those pearly whites and promoting great dental hygiene. However, the effects of a proper oral hygiene routine aren’t limited to the mouth. Oral health has been linked to diabetes, cancer, memory, heart disease and more. While scientists are unsure whether these links are correlative or causative, it’s clear that people must understand the importance of oral health if they are to maintain their overall wellness. Here are a few instances where dental health may play a role in other areas and functions of the body.

Contents
  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease
  • Birth Complications
  • Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Liver Cancer
  • Practicing Good Dental Health

Diabetes

In diabetics, it’s common to find cases of periodontal disease, an infection in the gum and bone that can result in tooth loss. Diabetes can also hinder oral healing, making it difficult for patients to recover from treatments addressing their periodontal disease. Diabetes may also cause dry mouth and a painful infection called thrush, which produces white patches in the mouth. Often, the first signs of infection include soreness, a bad taste in the mouth and swollen or bleeding gums.

Heart Disease

Scientists also link poor oral health — specifically tooth loss — to cardiovascular disease. However, researchers are still unsure if there is a direct or indirect relationship between them, even though they often occur together. Some surmise that the food people eat can introduce certain bacteria to the mouth. These bacteria can travel into the bloodstream and cause inflammation in the blood vessels, which can increase the risk of stroke, heart disease and heart attacks.

Birth Complications

Pregnant patients may experience a higher risk of developing gingivitis due to changes in their hormones and diet. The resulting inflammation may trigger an increase in prostaglandin, inducing early labor and, therein, preterm birth. Naturally, this can negatively affect both mother and baby as the child will often have a low birth weight. The mother may also suffer poor mental health. However, dental caries seem to have the opposite effect, at least in terms of birth weight. In women with cavities and tooth decay, there may be a higher risk of delivering babies that are large for gestational age compared to those without dental caries. Of course, other factors — like diet and exercise — may cause this association to occur.

More Read

medicare fraud
Keeping an Eye Out for Medical Fraud
What Is the Average Cost of Invisalign Treatments?
Obesity Treatment Alternatives to Reshape Markets
5 Things You Need To Know About Online Healthcare Services
What Happens When Mindfulness Meets Tech?

Alzheimer’s Disease

Recently, scientists discovered that the bacteria that causes gingivitis can travel from the mouth to the brain. These bacteria then release enzymes in the brain that destroy nerve cells and lead to memory loss. Eventually, this can lead patients to develop Alzheimer’s disease and other serious forms of dementia. Periodontal bacteria can even hasten the development of Alzheimer’s through the formation of amyloid-beta plaques. While the bacteria won’t directly cause Alzheimer’s, it can increase patient risk and rapidly progress once they develop it. This brain-affecting condition is one major factor in defining the importance of oral health.

Liver Cancer

Researchers also link poor oral health to a 75% increased risk of developing gastrointestinal cancers, including liver cancer. However, they don’t completely understand the biological mechanisms behind poor oral health and its connection to liver cancer. Thus, scientists are left to theorize the role of oral health on the liver and vice versa. One theory is that people with missing teeth as a result of poor oral health may alter their diet to consume softer and less nutritious food, thereby harming the liver. Another explanation includes a dysfunctional liver being responsible for the buildup of harmful bacteria in the gut. One such bacteria originates in the oral cavity. However, scientists still don’t understand its role in the liver. Obviously, these findings warrant further research.

Practicing Good Dental Health

Although scientists don’t fully understand the links between overall health and dental hygiene in many regards, it’s clear there is a strong connection between the two. Therefore, it’s best to practice good dental hygiene as a preventative measure in maintaining overall health. As more research emerges, we may discover that proper brushing and flossing may prevent other health issues and lower the risk of developing oral diseases due to underlying health problems.

TAGGED:dental caredental healthdentistryHealthcareoverall healthpatient engagementpublic healthwellbeingwellness
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

dental care
Importance of Good Dental Care for Health and Confidence
Dental health Specialties
October 2, 2025
AI in Healthcare
AI in Healthcare: Technology is Transforming the Global Landscape
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
October 1, 2025
Choosing the Right Swimwear for Health and Safety
News
September 30, 2025
sports concussions
Concussion In Sports: How Common They Are And What You Need To Know
Infographics
September 28, 2025

You Might also Like

Social Media

Seek and You Shall Find

May 6, 2013

What You Eat Matters More Than the Calories

July 29, 2011

Healthcare Communication Industry Tests New Offerings as Health Care Reform Evolves

August 3, 2013

A Virtual Nurse for Hospital Discharge

November 2, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?