The Relationship Between Oral Health and General Health

Published on: 15 February 2017 Last Updated on: 15 May 2021
Oral Health

Dentists have been stressing the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene habits for decades as well as the use of braces, in some cases. If you’re interested in getting a feel on braces and their average prices, click here. We are all well aware that following the proper daily routines can help to prevent conditions such as cavities, gingivitis, dental emergencies,  gum disease, and bad breath. However, were you aware that there is a very real connection between oral health and the overall state of your body? Let us take a look at this principle in a bit more detail, for what you learn may indeed be quite surprising.

Read also: 5 Protein Enriched Food To Improve Mental Health

The Mouth as Your Health “Barometer”

The first thing that we need to appreciate is the notion that the mouth is a very powerful indicator of what may be happening within our bodies. Why is this the case? Many practitioners will point to the saliva that we naturally secrete minute by minute. There are numerous chemicals contained within this fluid and specific concentrations can hint that there may be metabolic imbalances that would otherwise go unnoticed. Cancer markers, specific types of proteins, and hormones such as cortisol can all be measured by taking a sample of saliva. If the levels of these and other substances are determined to be abnormal, this may very well be the symptom of a more endemic problem.

Oral Health and Inflammatory Response

Were you aware that the condition of your mouth can also hint at the presence of potentially serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes? Gum disease can sometimes be a precursor to such health risks. Gum disease is an inflammatory response due to poor oral hygiene and the build-up of other harmful substances within the mouth. While inflammation is one of the ways in which the body naturally protects itself, studies have found that this very same inflammation can spread to other areas; particularly to the bloodstream. Many now theorize that this can contribute to the breakdown of blood vessels and other circulatory tissues over time. As a result, certain individuals could be at a potentially higher risk of developing other serious ailments. The brain itself could even be affected (a stroke is an example here).

The Risk of Infections

Not only is the mouth intended to begin the digestion process, but it is also a very important barrier against harmful infections. Unfortunately, this biological “firewall” can often be compromised if the proper levels of hygiene are not practiced. For example, gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease and there may be instances when harmful bacteria will enter into the circulatory system. Although this might not necessarily be a problem for healthy individuals, those whose immune response is already compromised could become quite ill. And for those that are pregnant, oral health is an important part of prenatal care because poor oral health during pregnancy can affect the baby – and everyone wants a HEALTHY BABY.

Read also: The Disturbing Trend Of Multiple Chronic Medical Conditions

These are some of the surprising relationships between oral health and overall health. Unfortunately, millions of individuals do not practice proper habits in order to protect their mouths. This can lead to more profound problems over time. As we gain a further understanding of how multiple systems of the body are connected, it is likely that oral hygiene will have an even greater impact.

For information regarding oral health, please visit the dentist in Cardiff.

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Fluoride

The Truth About Prenatal Fluoride Exposure and IQ

Fluoride first rose in popularity in the mid-20th century when it was discovered that residents living in areas with naturally high levels of fluoride in the water have stronger and healthier teeth than those without the supplement. Subsequent research led to fluoride being added to the water to help strengthen teeth and bones in the general population. Today, it isn’t just in the water, it’s in toothpaste and a variety of other products. Unfortunately, some studies today also suggest that there is a link between fluoride consumption and an increased risk of cancer. It’s worth noting that this research is limited to rats and hasn’t been borne out in human studies yet. In short, don’t give up the fluoride or stop taking your children to a reputable paediatric dentist Sydney yet. Other studies have suggested there could be a link between fluoride consumption during pregnancy and reduced intellectual ability in children. Of course, this is difficult to study effectively. How It’s Studied The study involved assessing the children born over several years in a specific area with at least half of them living in places that added fluoride to their water. At the age of four, the children all undertook IQ tests in accordance with the Wechsler Primary and pre-school intelligence standards. The results of this study showed that women who had higher levels of fluoride during pregnancy had children with lower IQ scores. Although one study cannot be considered conclusive proof, it is enough to raise questions and, when erring on the side of caution, make sure expecting mothers reduce fluoride intake. At least while they are pregnant. The biggest issue for this study and future studies is that it is only one possible reason for the reduction in IQ. Genes, lifestyle, and other factors can also affect the IQ of an unborn child, creating a controlled study to assess the severity of the impact of fluoride is difficult.  Future Steps: As mentioned, this is one study, and more are needed to confirm or expand on the findings. However, if you’re pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant it is advisable to assess your fluoride consumption and reduce it. The simplest way to do this is to check with your water board. Not all treatment centers add to the water. If you’re in an area that dos you’ll want to invest in a water filter at home. This will remove any fluoride and reduce the potential harm to your unborn child. Of course, you’ll still be exposed to fluoride in toothpaste and other products. But, you can check these ingredients and decide whether you should be using them or not. At the moment, the studies are too small and too vague to confirm the role of fluoride in IQ. This means there are not yet guidelines regarding the safe amount of fluoride that can be consumed daily. In other words, you’ll have to check the products you’re using and decide whether to have them or not, based on their fluoride content. Read Also: Is It Healthier To Have Dentures?7 Health Tips For Medical StudentsHow To Help Sensitive Teeth After Whitening?Creating Health Advice Resources? Foreign Language Versions Are Essential

READ MOREDetails
Temperature & Sleep

The Relationship between Temperature & Sleep

Summer 2019 is in full swing, which means hot days and warm nights. Temperature & Sleep has a close relationship with one another. While a nice sunny day is something that can be easily enjoyed in the shade and under an umbrella, sleeping in a room that is too hot at night is extremely uncomfortable and may affect your sleep! Below is some interesting information about how temperature affects your sleep. Assuming you’re a living, breathing human like me, your body temperature is higher during the day and then declines at night. The innate ability of your body to control internal temperature is through a process called “thermoregulation.” As you get ready to sleep, your body starts to cool down through this process. The process of cooling starts around 2:00 PM to prepare you for sleep and around 5:00 AM is the lowest body temperature your body will reach. Temperature & Sleep has a close relationship with one another. A cooler temperature is associated with sleep, while a higher temperature is wakefulness. This is super counterintuitive but even though you may feel like a slug in a warm environment, you could be able to actually get to sleep better in a cooler environment because our bodies cool down during the dream state. Keeping your body’s internal temperature lower while sleeping has been shown to support a longer and deeper quality of sleep. Cool temperature & sleep are co-related with one another. Your body starts to work overtime to cool itself when it becomes too hot. This is because the body associates heat with activity. Increased body temperature will alert your internal clock to be more awake and alert which disrupts all stages of REM sleep. Oppositely, cold comfort may deliver a better sleep. This is due to the fact that your body will be able to lower its internal temperature early in the sleep cycle. So you may want to think twice before you load up with all those comfy and fluffy blankets that we all love so much! Research shows that 60 to 65 degrees is the ideal sleeping temperature and anything higher or lower than this ideal range can make it more difficult to fall and stay asleep. Additionally, varying temperatures outside of the ideal sleeping temperature seem to cause our bodies to struggle to reach the ideal body temperature for sleep. A Dutch study from 2008 evaluated this phenomenon by hooking up participants to thermostats and found that very small changes in temperature could prove useful to manage disturbed sleeping patterns. The benefits of sleeping in a cool room include falling asleep quickly, promoting anti-aging, and reducing stress levels. Cold bedrooms can promote the increase in melatonin, which regulates all of the body and governs many of the body’s immune, cardiovascular, microbiome, metabolic, psychological, and detox functions. In order to catch the best and most restful snooze, you might need to send the right messages to your body that it’s time to go to sleep by keeping a cool environment in the hours that lead up to sleep. Try out some of the following simple solutions to prepare yourself for a nice night’s sleep: Try to allow your body time to adjust and prepare for sleep. Make sure you give your body two to three hours before bed to start to cool down. A hot shower seems to be ideal when taken two to three hours before bed. Make a good investment in your bed, fur blanket, and be sure to keep it clean. Natural materials are best and are most likely to keep you comfortable. Make sure you keep your hands and feet warm. Keep your bedroom at roughly 65 degrees. In addition, there are several wonderful sleep gadgets out there to help make sure your bedroom is an oasis and you’re ready for sleep. Check out this article to learn more about various sleep gadgets that may be able to help regulate your bed temperature. Gadgets could be a great way to start improving other aspects of your sleep that you may be experiencing trouble with! So all in all, Summer 2019 might be about catching some rays and working up a sweat on the beach, but once you get back inside starting to cool off for the rest of the night might be your best bet to feel refreshed and energized for the next day. It seems as though the temperature has an important effect on sleep. Try to take a look back at your most recent sleeping patterns and see if your rest is being disturbed by the temperature of your room. Perhaps start a Temperature & sleep journal to keep track by writing a blog entry about your last sleep in the morning. We all could use a better-shut eye at the end of the day! Read Also: How To Sleep Better When You Have Cancer Ways To Sleep Well At Night As You Age 3 Health Advantages Of Good Night’s Sleep

READ MOREDetails
Weight Loss

Best Weight Loss Program to Lose 20 Pounds

Nowadays, a lot of people throughout the world suffer from extra weight. In fact, obesity can cause very serious diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, insomnia, migraine, ulcer, and even cancer. That is why almost all people who faced this problem try to get rid of it as fast as possible. Actually, you can find out many various weight loss methods. Some of them are very effective, while others do not work at all. Also, there are such products that have different effects for different people. Nevertheless, there are perfect remedies, which suit almost all people. So, in this article, we are going to look for the best weight loss programs to lose 20 pounds. Jenny Craig Weight Loss Program: Basically, Jenny Craig is a very effective weight loss program, which can help you get rid of extra weight as fast as possible. First of all, you will get a professional consultation. Then, special nutritionists will elaborate a special diet plan for you. You will receive a pre-packed food. Each diet plan is elaborated individually, as it depends on your age, height, and weight. Moreover, this program fits people with type 2 diabetes as well. You will have breakfasts, dinners, suppers, lunches, and various snacks as well. Jenny Craig weight loss program has only natural ingredients. It comprises such components as corn syrup, carrageenan, soybean oil, caramel color, sugar, milk protein concentrate, pea protein, enriched flour, textured wheat protein, dextrose, hydrolyzed yeast protein, whole grain oats, guar gum, oat fiber, modified food starch, etc. The point is to provide your organism with all the necessary vitamins and minerals needful for the daily consumption. As a result, you will cleanse your organism and lose up to 20 pounds. You can find out more information about this program on the following link https://www.dietsinreview.com/diets/Jenny_Craig/. Nutrisystem Diet: This diet is one of the most effective weight loss programs. Moreover, Nutrisystem Diet will improve your overall health as well. But still, if you want to reach some goals, you should strictly follow the rules. After the consultation with nutritionists, you will receive a pre-packed food. Everything will be planned. Each portion will be calculated individually in accordance with your personal features (age, height, and weight). It is a perfect variant for people who are very busy and do not have enough time to prepare food, do fitness, etc. Nutrisystem Diet has only natural components such as flaxseed, beta-carotene, natural flavor, calcium carbonate, carrageenan, canola oil, vitamin A palmitate, xanthan gum, thiamin mononitrate, and others. In one week you will lose 5 pounds minimum, and in a month you can lose more than 20 pounds. You can read more information about Nutrisystem Diet. Beachbody 21-Day Fix: As for this diet plan, it is very popular all over the world. They propose to consume their prepacked food for 21 days. This program is clinically shown to support lean muscle growth and weight loss. Their food comprises all the necessary minerals and vitamins needful for your organism for the daily consumption. Also, this weight loss program includes workouts. This is good for your health. Moreover, you will get rid of extra weight more effective and faster. You will receive your prepacked food in special containers. The different containers are different colors for things like seeds and dressings, healthy fats, carbohydrates, protein, vegetables, and fruits. The point is to eat healthy food, do workouts, and you will lose up to 20 pounds in 21 days. Well, as far as you know, extra weight is a rather serious problem nowadays. People all across the world try to lose some pounds and improve their overall health. Actually, you can find out many different weight loss products. However, now you know best 3 weight loss programs to lose 20 pounds. All of them have the best specialists and high-quality products. So, just choose the most suitable variant for you and try it. Read Also: Why Have A Diet Chart For Weight Loss? 6 Imbalances In Body Hampering Weight Loss Efforts

READ MOREDetails