When we think about oral health, we tend to focus on avoiding cavities and maintaining a pearly white smile. However, good dental hygiene carries a lot more importance than many people realize. In recent years, we’ve begun to better understand how oral health is a key component of our overall health.
A person’s mouth is full of bacteria, many of which are completely harmless. However, the mouth also contains harmful bacteria that produce acids and harmful substances that can result in tooth decay and gum disease, also known as periodontitis. Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that damages the tissue and bone that support your teeth. Studies have shown links between periodontal disease and a variety of chronic health conditions, including diabetes, respiratory issues and cardiovascular disease.
You can see why it’s so important that we make oral hygiene a daily priority. Let’s take a closer look at periodontal disease and the steps we can take to prevent it.
Links to disease
The bacteria that form in your mouth don’t necessarily remain there. The mouth serves as an entry point to many important parts of your body, such as the digestive and respiratory systems. In some cases, bacterial infections can even enter the bloodstream, affecting vital organs including your heart.
Diabetes and periodontal disease have a bidirectional relationship. Uncontrolled diabetes leads to higher blood sugar levels, which promotes the growth of bacteria and increases the risk of periodontal disease. Diabetes also limits the body’s ability to fight infections, including periodontal infections. On the other hand, an active periodontal infection can cause a person’s blood sugar to rise, making it more difficult to control their diabetes.
More than 360,000 Arkansans live with diabetes, and nearly 800,000 have been diagnosed as prediabetic, according to the American Diabetes Association. The connection between diabetes and periodontitis has major implications for many people, as an inability to control one disease will make it harder to control the other.
Day-to-day maintenance
Maintaining your oral health starts with good habits at home. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush, spending about two minutes on each session. When brushing, place the toothbrush bristles at a 45-degree angle toward the gumline, vibrating the brush back and forth with very short strokes. It is also important to brush your tongue because it harbors bacteria. Brush your tongue by starting on the back portion and brushing forward.
Cleaning in between your teeth is also necessary in order to remove food particles and plaque, which houses the bacteria. Use dental floss or a water flosser to get to these harder-to-reach areas. In addition to mechanically cleaning your teeth, rinsing with a nonalcoholic mouthwash will aid in killing bacteria.
Professional care
Even if you have good oral hygiene at home, you should still visit your dentist’s office every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning. Dental professionals have the tools and skills to remove any calculus, what many know as hardened plaque. They will also be able to detect any dental issues before they become severe problems. This preventive care will make a big difference in the long run.
Access to affordable dental care remains an issue in some parts of the state, especially in rural areas. A 2022 study by the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement and the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation found that only 30 percent of adults and 50 percent of children who had dental insurance coverage used any services in 2019. We need to find solutions to ensure that all Arkansans benefit from high-quality care.
I encourage you all to prioritize oral hygiene so you can protect your well-being and enjoy a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
Claire Tucker, Ed.D., RDH, is an associate professor and chair of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Department of Dental Hygiene.
