More Than the Mouth Meets: Oral Hygiene and Your Health

Growing up, you probably thought brushing your teeth was just a chore parents invented to annoy their kids, right? Well, turns out the oral health habits you learned – or didn’t learn – during your childhood actually have a very serious impact to your health.

Neglecting oral hygiene can lead to some pretty embarrassing, if not health-threatening consequences. Disregarding simple tips like brushing and flossing daily can easily lead to gum disease. When you have gum disease, germs work to destroy your gums and the bone around your teeth. Then one might develop the more severe form of gum disease, periodontitis. When you reach this stage, your gums begin to pull away from your teeth. Pockets form between your teeth and gums. These fill with germs and pus, and deepen. Your teeth may fall out or need to be pulled.

So you think you’re a long way from developing gum disease? Think again. Plaque forms in just a matter of a few hours. Tartar follows in just a few days. If the bacteria succeeds in colonizing near the tooth roots, your gums become infinitely more susceptible to gum disease.

Research is beginning to abound suggesting that the old brushing/flossing standby can actually do wonders beyond the mouth! For example, the American Academy of Periodontology speaks to research¹ that points to the following troubling associations between poor oral health and the body:

• People with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease and stroke.¹
• Pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small.²
• Bacteria in your mouth can be aspirated into the lungs to cause respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, especially in people with gum disease.³

Also, if you have diabetes or a family history of it, please take note: The American Diabetes Association reports that research shows¹ that there is an increased prevalence of gum disease among those with diabetes, adding serious gum disease to the list of other complications associated with diabetes, such as heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. But it’s also a two-way street. Not only are people with diabetes more susceptible to serious gum disease, but serious gum disease may have the potential to affect blood glucose control and contribute to the progression of diabetes.

As you probably already know, tobacco use is linked with many serious illnesses such as cancer, lung disease and heart disease, as well as numerous other health problems. What you may not know is that tobacco users also are at increased risk for periodontal disease. In fact, recent studies⁵ have shown that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease.

Finally, consider that as a college student, your eating and behavioral patterns might be putting you at extra risk for developing poor oral health status. Irregular schedules, late night cramming sessions and partying can lead to diets crammed with foods high in sugar, caffeine, alcohol or other harmful agents. These and other acidic foods are highly associated with acid erosion, one of the major contributors to tooth wear. In fact, research shows that college students suffer most often from tooth decay⁶ resulting from excessive consumption of fermentable carbohydrates – foods or beverages with high sugar content. High stress levels associated with the college student life can also reduce saliva flow, which is critical in the management of erosion, since saliva is supersaturated with calcium and phosphorous and helps inhibit demineralization of the tooth structure.  

So, the last thing you want is dentures at 50, right? The cool thing is: maintaining good oral health is one of the easiest things you can do for your body! Dental hygiene is as simple as: brushing twice a day, flossing once a day. Repeat.

And for good measure, try some of the following tips to improve oral health:

• Drink carbonated soft drinks and sweetened liquids in moderation.
• Swish out mouth with water to dilute sugar and acid.
• Never consume soft drinks or sugary snacks at bedtime.
• Use a remineralizing toothpaste with high fluoride availability
• Avoid any erosion-inducing habits such as sipping, swishing or holding drinks in the mouth.
• Get regular dental cleanings to remove plaque build-up.
• Include sweets as part of your meals, as opposed to consuming them throughout the day, to reduce number of daily acid challenges.

1) American Academy of Periodontology,Gum Disease Links to Heart Disease and Stroke, October 24, 2008
2) American Academy of Periodontology, Gum Disease and Pregnancy Problems, November 9, 2009
3) American Academy of Periodontology, Gum Disease and Respiratory Diseases,  October 24, 2008
4) American Academy of Periodontology, Tobacco Use and Periodontal Disease,May 08, 2008
5) American Diabetes Association, Living with Diabetes, 1995-2010
6) Mazza, Aubrie.  "Oral hygiene habits of college students: unhealthy eating and high levels of stress put them at risk." BNet. January 2008