Pay attention to your mouth because it could be telling you something
about the rest of your body, a new study has confirmed.
People with the germiest mouths are the most likely to have heart
attacks, researchers reported at the beginning of National Oral Health
Month in April.
A study that compared heart attack victims to healthy volunteers found
the heart patients had higher numbers of bacteria in their mouths, the
researchers said.
Their findings add to a growing body of evidence linking oral hygiene
with overall health. Several studies have shown associations between
gum disease and heart disease.
“Research shows there is a connection between our oral health and our
overall health,” says Dr. Deborah Stymiest, president of the Canadian
Dental Association.
“There is a relationship between oral disease and health problems such
as diabetes and certain kinds of pneumonia,” according to Stymiest,
who has a dentistry practice in Fredericton, New Brunswick. “There may
even be a link to heart disease and stroke, as well as premature and
low birth-weight babies.
“So it makes sense to care for our mouths the way we care for our
bodies,” she says.
The national voice for dentistry believes too many Canadians give
short shrift to their oral health. “We often ignore bleeding or tender
gums, while an irritation or pain elsewhere in the body would mean a
trip to the doctor,” Stymiest says.
Failure to pay heed to our mouths can be dangerous, the CDA boss
warns. “Oral pain, missing teeth or oral infections can influence the
way a person speaks, eats and socializes. These oral health problems
can reduce a person’s quality of life by affecting their physical,
mental and social well-being.”
Worse yet, “The reality is that oral health problems could be a sign
of something serious such as oral cancer,” Stymiest cautions.
The CDA notes that approximately 3,200 Canadians are diagnosed with
oral cancer every year and 1,050 people will die of it annually.
The dentists’ group points out that the disease has a low survival
rate because it is often diagnosed very late. “With early detection,
the survival rate of oral cancer can be greatly improved,” Stymiest
says. “This means going to your dentist for regular checkups. Your
dentist has the training and experience to detect oral cancer early.”
As well, the overhead light dentists use to examine patients is
several times brighter than a doctor’s office so dentists may be more
able to detect signs of oral cancer.
The CDA suggests that, as part of a healthy lifestyle and to help
reduce the risk of oral disease, you should follow these five steps:
1. See your dentist regularly: Regular checkups and professional
cleanings are the best way to prevent problems or to stop small
problems from getting worse.
Your dentist will look for signs of oral disease. Oral diseases often
go unnoticed and may lead to or be a sign of serious health problems
in other parts of the body.
2. Keep your mouth clean: Using a soft-bristle toothbrush, brush your
teeth and tongue at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to
remove plaque and bacteria that cause cavities and periodontal or gum
disease.
Floss every day. If you don’t floss, you’re missing more than a third
of your tooth surface.
Your dentist may also recommend that you use a fluoride or
antimicrobial mouthrinse to help prevent cavities or gum disease.
When choosing oral care products, look for the Canadian Dental
Association (CDA) Seal of Recognition. Oral care products that have
earned the Seal of Recognition have been reviewed by the CDA and will
effectively contribute to your oral health.
3. Eat, drink, but be wary:
Healthy food is good for your general health and your oral health. The
nutrients that come from healthy foods help you fight cavities and gum
disease.
Limit how much and how often you consume foods and beverages that
contain sugar. Sugar is one of the main causes of dental problems.
Limit your consumption of foods and beverages that are high in acid.
The acid may play a part in causing dental erosion.
4. Check your mouth regularly:
Look for warning signs of gum disease, one of the main reasons why
adults lose their teeth. The warning signs include red, shiny, puffy,
sore or sensitive gums: bleeding when you brush or floss; bad breath
that won’t go away; loose or sensitive teeth; change in the colour of
your gums; and receding gums.
Watch for signs of oral cancer. The three most common sites for oral
cancer are the sides and bottom of your tongue and the floor of your
mouth. The warning signs include bleeding that you can’t explain; open
sores that don’t heal within seven to 10 days; white or red patches;
numbness or tingling; small lumps and thickening on the sides or
bottom of your tongue, the floor or roof of your mouth, the inside of
your cheeks or on your gums; dry mouth, a sore mouth or burning mouth
syndrome.
Report any of these warning signs to your dentist.
5. Avoid all tobacco products: Stained and missing teeth,
infected gums and bad breath are just some of the ways smoking can
affect your oral health. Besides ruining your smile, smoking can cause
oral cancer, heart disease and a variety of other cancers, all of
which can kill you.
All forms of tobacco are dangerous to your oral health and your
overall health, not just cigarettes. Smokeless tobacco such as chewing
tobacco, snuff and snus can cause mouth, tongue and lip cancer and can
be more addictive than cigarettes.
If you use tobacco products, ask your dentist and your family doctor
for advice on how to quit.
The CDA says that, if you take care of your teeth and gums and visit
your dentist regularly, “your smile should last you a lifetime. Your
oral health is good for life.”
Sun Media news services
Feedback