The Link Between Oral and Overall Health: Why Your Smile Matters More Than You Think

Tooth and gum health are important not only to maintain a beautiful smile but also to help balance the rest of the body.

Good oral hygiene is essential for your heart, lungs, brain, and even your baby. The link between oral health and overall health often goes both ways, so make sure you’re taking care of the whole you for the best results.

Here’s how to understand and nourish the connection between your oral health and your overall health.

Heart Health

Good oral hygiene should be close to your heart. While there’s no confirmed link directly tying poor oral health to cardiovascular issues, researchers believe that improper or infrequent brushing can cause harmful bacteria to build up in your mouth.

If left untreated, this bacterium can enter your bloodstream and threaten other organs, including your heart. In particular, inflammation from gum disease may lead to heart inflammation and clogged arteries.

Poor oral health is also associated with certain medical conditions that are known to trigger cardiac events, such as HPV. Moreover, studies have shown that individuals who have trouble managing their dental care from childhood through young adulthood are more likely to have high blood pressure, a condition that raises the risk of heart attack if not monitored and controlled.

Health tip: Practice proper oral care like brushing and flossing, and talk to your doctor to find out if any medications you’re taking for oral conditions can affect your heart.

Lung Health

Good oral hygiene lets you breathe easily. Much like your heart, your lungs are often affected by what happens in your mouth. Traveling bacteria from your mouth to your chest area is a primary concern, as these germs may cause or exacerbate lung conditions, including pneumonia and asthma.

People with dentures should be extra diligent about taking care of their oral health because bacteria and germs can accumulate on dentures if they’re not cleaned properly.

Another consideration is that improperly fitted or damaged dentures can make chewing and swallowing difficult, which can lead to choking while eating. Food entering the lungs restricts breathing and can be life-threatening.

Just as oral conditions can harm your oral health, lung conditions can also cause problems in your mouth. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commonly known as COPD, is a collection of lung diseases that make it difficult for your lungs to maintain proper airflow.

People with COPD often manage symptoms with anti-inflammatory medications; however, these treatments may include dry mouth as a side effect. When unaddressed, a lack of saliva can contribute to gum disease and cavities.

Health tip: Full dentures tend to last anywhere from 5 to 10 years, so ensure you see your dentist regularly so they can recommend replacements or repairs.

Diabetes

As of 2022, an estimated 830 million people worldwide live with diabetes. A key part of managing this condition is having good oral health to mitigate the effects diabetes has on your body.

High blood sugar is the primary factor in diabetes. This condition increases your risk of infection and inflammation. Research shows that over 60% of people with diabetes also have periodontal disease, which is a bacterial infection that seeps into your gums.

Chronic dry mouth is a common complication of diabetes. Saliva production is key to properly digesting food and mitigating the effects of harmful bacteria. Without it, you’re at risk of cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease.

Another issue stemming from diabetes is your body’s impaired ability to heal wounds. This means that you may experience complications healing if you sustain a laceration in your mouth.

Oral thrush is a fungal infection that can happen in your mouth. Symptoms typically include white or yellow patches in your mouth and difficulty eating and drinking. Home remedies are helpful for treating thrush; however, you may need to be prescribed antifungal medication by your doctor.

Health tip: High sugar levels in your saliva can put your smile at risk, so if you have diabetes, make sure you maintain good oral hygiene.

Bone Health

Did you know that enamel is the strongest substance in your body? While your teeth aren’t bones, they do play an important role in bone health. Particularly, your jawbone is critical as it serves to keep teeth stable and in their proper place.

Gum disease inflammation is particularly concerning because it can infect and weaken the jawbone. This may lead to a condition called jawbone resorption, which is when the jawbone begins to deteriorate and become at risk for fractures. A compromised jawbone can lead to teeth shifting or falling out entirely.

Reduced jaw bone density can also complicate certain dental procedures. Sufficient jawbone density is needed for implants to be properly anchored in your mouth. If your jawbone is not strong enough to support implants, you may require an additional procedure called bone grafting, where bone graft material is worked into your natural jaw to provide reinforcement.

Health tip: Tooth loss becomes an increasing concern as you age, so start good oral care habits early to reduce your chances of losing your teeth.

Sleep Health

If you want a good smile, get a good night’s sleep. Dry mouth and toothaches can make it challenging to get a restful night’s sleep. More serious oral conditions, such as TMJ, are also known to disrupt sleep.

Sleep deprivation can weaken your immune system, and thus your body’s ability to ward off infections. A lack of sleep makes you more vulnerable to gum disease and other infection-based oral conditions.

Teeth grinding during sleep is a habit many people don’t know they have until they start seeing the effects. Bruxism—the medical term for teeth grinding—poses a major threat to teeth. Over time, teeth wear down from the grinding and are more susceptible to chips, cracks, and enamel erosion. It can also cause tooth sensitivity, making eating and getting proper nutrition a challenge.

Finally, snoring isn’t just bothersome to hear; it can also be dangerous for your teeth and your overall health. Snoring is the result of obstructed airways, which can have many causes, including missing or crowded teeth, teeth grinding, or a misaligned bite.

Your dentist may want to evaluate you for obstructive sleep apnea, a common and treatable condition.

Health tip: If you snore, consult with your dentist to see if an oral appliance can help alleviate the issue.

Pregnancy Health

Pregnancy is a critical time for your oral health, and it’s important to keep it a top priority as you prepare to welcome your baby.

Hormone changes due to pregnancy can impact your teeth. For example, elevated progesterone levels can increase plaque buildup on your teeth, which is a leading cause of tooth decay. Additionally, morning sickness is a common issue pregnant women face. Vomit and acid reflux threaten enamel and put you at a higher risk of cavities.

Maintaining good oral health during pregnancy also helps babies achieve better outcomes. Studies show that proper dental hygiene during pregnancy can reduce the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.

In addition to regular brushing and dental exams, prenatal vitamins can also support good oral health. Vitamin D and calcium are two excellent nutrients for your teeth that are frequently found in prenatal vitamins.

Health tip: Regular dental checkups are safe at any stage of pregnancy. Inform your dental care provider that you are expecting so that they can help you maintain good oral health during your pregnancy.

Mental Health

Smiling isn’t just something we do when we’re happy; smiling can actually make us happy! The act of smiling releases dopamine and serotonin from your brain, which increases your feeling of happiness and decreases stress.

Mental health conditions such as depression make it tough to manage everyday activities, which include maintaining a proper diet. Unhealthy foods, especially ones with excessive sugar, harm teeth and cause cavities and tooth decay. Tooth brushing is another common thing people with depression might struggle to do regularly, putting their teeth at risk due to improper care.

Your smile’s appearance can also have a profound impact on your mental health. Research has proven that an attractive, well-aligned smile boosts confidence and reduces the risk of depression and anxiety. There’s even evidence that gum disease can cause more serious neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Health tip: If you’re not satisfied with your smile and feel it’s affecting your mental health, consider cosmetic dental work to improve its appearance—and your self-esteem!

A Healthy Smile Makes Your Whole Body Happy

More and more research supports the idea that oral health is closely linked to overall health. Taking care of your smile means taking care of the rest of you, too. Practice good brushing and flossing habits and, of course, visit your dentist regularly to check up on your smile.