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Why Oral Hygiene Is Crucial to Your Overall Health

The inside of your mouth is the perfect place for bacteria to thrive: It’s dark, it’s warm, it’s wet and the foods and drinks you consume provide nutrients for them to eat. But when the harmful bacteria build up around your teeth and gums, you’re at risk of developing periodontal (or gum) disease, experts say, which is an infection and inflammation in the gums and bone that surround your teeth.

And such conditions in your mouth may influence the rest of your body, said Kimberly Bray, a professor of dental hygiene at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

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 Systemic Diseases Caused by Oral Infection

Most studies concerning the relationship between oral infection and systemic diseases are related to periodontal disease, by far the most common oral infection.

Articles of Interest

The Dangers Of Oral Infections

In centuries past, tooth decay-related infection was a leading cause of death.

Bacterial Infections of the Oral Mucosa

Bacterial lesions of the oral mucosa can originate anywhere in the oral cavity and are usually the first sign of the condition. In the initial phase, some diseases could present symptomless, making the diagnosis challenging.

Connecting the Dots: Oral Infection to Rheumatoid Arthritis

For many years, there had been suggestions that the oral bacteria causing periodontal disease might contribute to rheumatoid arthritis. For instance, past studies have found that periodontal disease occurs even more often in people with rheumatoid arthritis. People with both conditions also tend to have more severe arthritic symptoms that can be more stubbornly resistant to treatment. What’s been missing is the precise underlying mechanisms to confirm the connection. To help connect the dots, a research team, which included Dana Orange, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, and William Robinson, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, decided to look closer.

Diseases Arising from Mouth Infections

Pathogenic infections of various organs and tissues of the body may have their origin in periodontal and periapical infections of the teeth.

It Starts With Gum Disease. But It Can Lead to a Lot Worse

An infection caused by decay or a broken tooth can form an abscess in the bone or tissue and trigger sepsis, the body’s often-deadly response to infection. Bacteria from the mouth can travel to other parts of the body such as the lungs and infect heart valves. Researchers are exploring the links between periodontitis and several types of cancer.

Oral Infections Causing More Hospitalizations

“People put it off until they find their face all swollen or they can’t breathe, and they run to the hospital,” he said. “And that’s when we have these emergent conditions.”

Oral microbiome: Unveiling the fundamentals

The oral cavity has the second largest and diverse microbiota after the gut harboring over 700 species of bacteria. It nurtures numerous microorganisms which include bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa. The mouth with its various niches is an exceptionally complex habitat where microbes colonize the hard surfaces of the teeth and the soft tissues of the oral mucosa.

Oral Yeast Infections: Yes, They’re Common – and Contagious!

The last thing you would think to talk to your dentist about is a yeast infection! But when it appears in your mouth, or in that of your child, he or she is the first person you should call… and the sooner, the better. Oral yeast infections (or “thrush”) are actually quite common, and also contagious if you’re not careful.

The Dangers Of Oral Infections

Your teeth become sensitive to cold drinks. A tooth develops a dull ache. A sore on the gums doesn’t heal up. An injured tooth darkens. A pain develops in your lower sinus area. This is definitely not a situation where the “ignore it and it will go away” mentality is wise.

Resources

8 Common Oral Infections

Some oral infections are common from childhood to adulthood. Learn about eight common oral infections, their signs and symptoms, and when to seek treatment. Like any part of your body, you can get infections and illnesses that can affect your teeth, gums, and tongue. Some oral infections are more serious than others. But arming yourself with the knowledge of these common mouth infections, their causes, and typical signs can help you prevent them.