The health of your mouth might be more important than you realise and is linked to a number of other conditions around the whole body, according to the Oral Health Foundation.

The charity says the health of your mouth, teeth and gums can affect your general health and is calling for more patients to understand the links between oral health and overall wellbeing.

Scientists have established strong links between poor oral health and conditions across several sites around the body, including the heart, brain and lungs.

However, the latest research by the Oral Health Foundation shows that awareness of oral health affecting conditions in other parts of the body is as low as 11 per cent.

Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation, summarises the links between oral health and general health.

Nigel says, “Like the rest of the body, the mouth is loaded with bacteria, and while most bacteria are harmless, some can cause disease. Your body's natural defences and good daily oral hygiene, such as brushing and interdental cleaning, usually keep bacteria under control. However, without good oral care, bacteria can lead to diseases like tooth decay and gum disease.

“It is the bacteria in the mouth, along with the inflammation associated with a severe form of gum disease (periodontitis), that might play a role in some diseases, including heart disease.”

Here are five of the most established links between oral health and general health.

Heart problems

People with gum disease are almost twice as likely to have coronary artery (heart) disease than people without gum disease.

Nigel says, “When people have gum disease, it is thought that bacteria from the mouth can get into their bloodstream. The bacteria produce protein. This builds up as plaques in the arteries that can then break off causing obstruction of the arteries around the heart, leading to a heart attack.

“Blood clots can reduce normal blood flow, so that the heart does not get all the nutrients and oxygen it needs. If the blood flow is badly affected this could also lead to a heart attack.”

Strokes

Several studies have looked at the connection between mouth infections and strokes.

Researchers have found that people with gum disease are around twice as likely to have a stroke.

Experts discovered that when the gums bleed and become inflamed, it leads to changes in how blood and oxygen flow to the brain.

Ben Atkins, a dentist in Manchester, says, “The link between poor oral health and strokes is very similar to that of heart attacks. As bacteria responsible for gum disease find their way into the bloodstream protein levels to rise. This elevation can lead to inflammation in the blood vessels which is usually a good indicator that a person might be at higher risk of having a stroke.”

Diabetes

People with diabetes are more likely to have gum disease than people without it. This is probably because diabetics are more likely to get infections in general. People who do not know they have diabetes, or whose diabetes is not under control, are especially at risk.

“If you do have diabetes, it is important that any gum disease is diagnosed, because it can lead to poor glycaemic (blood sugar) control,” adds Nigel. “This would put you at risk of diabetic complications.”

Nigel says, “New research has also shown that you are more likely to develop diabetes if you have gum disease.

“If you have diabetes, you have an increased risk of losing teeth.”

Premature and low birth weight babies

Pregnant women who have gum disease may be over three times more likely to have a baby that is premature, and so has a low birth weight. There is a one-in-four chance that a pregnant woman with gum disease will give birth before 35 weeks.

“It is thought that gum disease may raise the levels of the chemicals that bring on labour,” adds Ben. “Research also suggests that women whose gum disease gets worse during pregnancy have an even higher risk of having a premature baby.”

Lung disease

Bacterial chest infections are thought to be caused by breathing in fine droplets from the throat and mouth into the lungs. This can cause infections, such as pneumonia, or could make an existing condition worse.

Nigel says, “People with gum disease have more bacteria in their mouths and may therefore be more likely to get chest infections. This particularly affects frail, elderly people who may die from pneumonia caused by breathing in bacteria from their mouth.

“Good oral hygiene for this group of people is therefore particularly important.”

The first sign of gum disease is bleeding gums. As gum disease advances, patients may get an unpleasant taste in their mouth, bad breath, and loose teeth.

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