My Mind, My Body, My Journey™ 

Oral health can provide information about your overall health. Our mouths have bacteria, which can be managed with daily brushing and flossing. If our bacteria levels are not managed the risk of oral infections that cause gum disease and tooth decay increase. Oral health is also impacted by diet, saliva flow, medication use, and other medical conditions.

A diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables and vitamins and minerals can reduce the risk of gum disease. Foods with higher levels of acid can erode the enamel on your teeth which can make them more susceptible to decay. There are many forms of sugar that can cause decay. Sugar is found in many processed foods and even foods labeled with “no added sugar”. Therefore, it is important to read food labels to manage daily amounts of sugar. Whenever you consume sugar, it reacts with the bacteria found in plaque and produces harmful acids. Sugar in beverages such as soda, fruit juice, and coffee creamers can also contribute to oral health problems.

Saliva is important for oral health as it increases lubrication and helps dilute the sugars we consume. Saliva helps repair tissues and enamel remineralization. Saliva’s antimicrobial cleaning activity helps degrade some bacteria in the cell walls and controls the levels of plaque in your mouth. Certain medications such as antihistamines, painkillers, diuretics, and antidepressants can reduce the flow of saliva. Medical conditions such as diabetes, eating disorders, and osteoporosis can impact oral health. Since diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infection, it can increase the risk of gum disease. Osteoporosis can weaken the bones in your mouth and contribute to tooth loss. Eating disorders can contribute to mouth sours, dry mouth, enamel damage, tissue damage, and gum disease.

Although the connection is unclear, there have been many studies that have reported a correlation between heart disease and gum disease. Some have theorized that the bacteria from your mouth could travel to your blood vessels which can impact your heart. Others have theorized that the bacteria triggers inflammation to the body which damages the heart.

Gum disease has been associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, although the cause is not fully understood¹. Oral health conditions such as cavities affect 25% of women of childbearing age¹. Between 60-75% of pregnant women have gingivitis, which could be attributed to changing hormones¹. The American Academy of Pediatrics has partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop and oral health resource center which includes a toolkit for health professionals working with pregnant and postpartum women. This toolkit is available in 8 languages and includes brochures, posters, and infographics to share with patients. More information can be found at this link https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/campaigns-and-toolkits/oral-health/.

Unfortunately oral health disparities are common due to barriers such as cost, lack of insurance, and lack of oral health providers in underserved areas. Many employers do not provide adequate dental coverage to their employees, which can increase out of pocket costs to obtain oral care or contribute to delays in seeking oral care. Government funded insurance plans such as Medicaid and Medicare do not provide adequate dental coverage. Some of the barriers can be reduced by exploring dental benefits from the marketplace (i.e., Affordable Care Act) or purchasing directly from the specific insurer. It is also possible to have more than one dental insurance which can assist with reducing out of pocket expenses. Some regions provide low-cost dental care through universities as the providers are dental students completing clinical experience under supervision. Finally, advocacy is important for oral health issues and can assist with legislation that requires employers to provide adequate dental coverage and providing such coverage within the same timeframe as health insurance.

Wishing you health and happiness

Reference

1. Pregnancy and Oral Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website. https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/features/pregnancy-and-oral-health.html. Updated March 18, 2022. Accessed March 19, 2023.