Did you think that not brushing your teeth or neglecting your oral health can only affect your mouth? If yes, give it a thought again, as research has shown that there’s a link between your dental health habits and whether or not you develop diabetes, stroke, heart diseases, and even some cancers.
According to the WHO Global Oral Health Status Report (2022), oral diseases affect close to 3.5 billion people worldwide—that’s almost half of the world’s population—with three out of four people affected living in middle-income countries. Globally, an estimated 2 billion people suffer from caries of permanent teeth and 514 million children suffer from caries of primary teeth.
Essentially, what we often don’t realise is that oral health goes beyond just the mouth to include one’s overall health and well-being.
Alarming rise
In India, more than a quarter of the population aged 9 years and above suffer from caries in one or more teeth. The most common forms of cancer among Indian males are said to be head and neck cancers and are related to the extensive use of tobacco. “Every year, we detect 140,000 new cases of oral cavity cancers. Extensive use of tobacco coupled with poor dental practices like not brushing teeth regularly are also contributing to increased oral problems,” says Dr Shubham Garg, director, surgical oncology, Fortis Hospital, Noida.
Dr Vinod Tyagi, consultant, department of dentistry, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Noida Extension, agrees. “The global increase in oral diseases presents a multifaceted challenge rooted in various factors. Poor oral hygiene practices, unhealthy dietary habits, tobacco and alcohol use, and limited access to dental care contribute to this rise. In India, these challenges are particularly pronounced, with high prevalence rates exacerbated by factors such as widespread tobacco use, limited access to dental services in rural and marginalised communities, socioeconomic disparities, inadequate water fluoridation and cultural practices like betel nut chewing,” he adds.
Unsurprisingly, only 45% of Indians were found to be brushing their teeth twice daily, compared to 78-83% in countries such as China, Colombia, Italy and Japan, as per a study conducted by Oral Health Observatory (OHO), which collects data on oral health, last year. OHO was formed by the Geneva-based FDI World Dental Federation. Up to 32% of respondents in India reported the highest sugary food consumption frequency compared to only 11% in China, the study adds.
As per the study, most respondents had seen a dentist in 2022, ranging from 51% in India to 80% in Japan. However, respondents in China and India were the most likely to have never visited a dentist, the study adds.
Gateway to the body
The link between oral health and other systemic diseases has been well established through various research studies. Diabetes and periodontitis have a bidirectional link. Associations between severe periodontal disease and cardiovascular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney diseases, adverse pregnancy outcomes like pre-term birth and low birth weight are also known.“The common cause in all these diseases is a pathogenic shift in the oral microbiome causing inflammation that results in release of a range of inflammatory markers into the circulation. The markers affect the target organs and exacerbate the condition. Also, the oral cavity acts like a reservoir for oral bacteria that can enter the bloodstream and cause bacteraemia,” explains Dr Bhavna Choraria, consultant dental surgeon at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai.
Oral health is a reflection of the overall health status of the body, says Dr Garg of Fortis. “It is a mirror into the personality of the person as it reflects both the personal habits as well as the discipline of the individual,” he explains.
Poor digestion and constipation can lead to non-healing ulcers. “Many nutritional deficiencies can be seen in poor oral health. Cracking of angle of mouth and non-healing ulcers are related to vitamin B deficiency. Iron deficiency can be assessed by the colour of the tongue,” adds Dr Garg.
Cancer is a major worry with poor oral health. These cancers, when they occur in the head and neck region, usually require surgery. Surgery would entail removal of a part of tongue, teeth or oral buccal mucosa. This leads to poor cosmetic and functional outcomes. “Most of these cancers also require radiation in the postoperative period. They have a significant financial impact on the family and leave a significant dent on the families’ income,” says Dr Garg.
Your brush with wellness
Another study published in the journal Neurology last year revealed that poor dental health can lead to a decline in brain volume, and even increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The study found that gum disease and tooth loss were linked to brain shrinkage in the hippocampus, which plays a role in memory and Alzheimer’s disease.
The study, however, does not prove that gum disease or tooth loss causes Alzheimer’s disease—it only shows an association.
“Tooth loss and gum disease, which is inflammation of the tissue around the teeth that can cause shrinkage of the gums and loosening of the teeth, are very common, so evaluating a potential link with dementia is incredibly important,” Satoshi Yamaguchi from Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan, was quoted as saying by media reports.
As such, your oral care journey becomes very important. If you haven’t done so already and want to start now, then it is of utmost importance to brush at least twice every day. Brushing regularly helps in removing the bad bacteria from the mouth, which can otherwise lead to severe health concerns such as tooth decay and gum diseases. “With the advancement of technology in the oral care industry, one can now switch to smart brushing with a sonic electric toothbrush. In comparison to a manual toothbrush, these electric toothbrushes are more effective in thorough mouth cleansing and provide maximum comfort and convenience,” says Dr Priyanka Sangwan, senior medical officer, dental care, Max Multi Speciality Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi.
Just brushing is not enough to free your mouth from the food residues that get stuck amid the tiny gaps between the teeth. This is where flossing comes into the picture. When it comes to flossing, a water flosser is an ideal way to ensure a painless and effective cleanse in even the most hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. It is more gentle on your teeth than a traditional thread flosser, thus avoiding bleeding of the gums. Overconsumption of sweets or sugary beverages can contribute to tooth decay. This is because the bacteria in your mouth feed on those sugars to provide acids. This acid can later contribute to damaging the enamel—the outermost layer of your teeth. Thus, it is advisable to limit your sugar intake and switch to a more nutrient-dense diet.
It is recommended to visit a dentist at least once every six months for a regular checkup. “This will allow your dental professional to examine your teeth and gums to check for any cavities or oral infections. Moreover, in case of any dental concerns, the dentist can treat the problem at an early stage, saving both time and money,” explains Dr Sangwan of Max.
Along with cleaning your teeth with an electric toothbrush and a water flosser, it is of equal importance to take proper care of your dental tools. “This is important to maintain the hygiene level of your oral care solutions. It is always advisable to replace your toothbrush heads after every 3-4 months and avoid storing your dental products very close to each other,” adds Dr Sangwan. Also, don’t forget to clean your tongue—probably the most neglected part of an individual’s dental care routine —and also consider using mouthwash to elevate your oral health.
Best practices
Dental check-ups: Get routine dental check-ups done every six months. This is recommended to detect and treat dental diseases at early stages
Maintain good oral hygiene: Brush teeth at least twice daily using fluoride toothpaste, floss once a day to remove plaque and food particles between teeth, and use mouthwash for additional cleaning
Practise preventive care: Consider dental treatments such as fluoride therapy and dental sealants to strengthen tooth enamel and protect against decay
Follow a balanced diet: Limit sugary and acidic foods and beverages, and consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and dairy products
Avoid tobacco and alcohol: Quit smoking and avoid chewing tobacco products. Limit alcohol consumption
— Dr Vinod Tyagi, consultant, department of dentistry, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Noida Extension