By Dr Shaziya Shaik, Registered GP Dentist
“Oral health, a portal to your systemic health!”
When one talks about oral health, all that comes to our mind is brushing, tooth paste and oral rinses. But oral hygiene is beyond that. Our oral cavity is home to a complex ecosystem of microorganisms that play a crucial role in maintaining oral health.
Do you know oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream and potentially contribute to inflammation in other parts of the body? Research suggests a link between oral health and systemic conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections, says Dr Shaziya Shaik- Registered GP Dentist.
Dentists advise limiting sticky & sugary foods frequently because bacteria like Streptococcus mutans act upon the food lodged in between and on surfaces of teeth. The bacteria metabolize sugars into acids, demineralizing tooth enamel, and initiating caries (decay). Caries, left untreated progresses from enamel to dentin (layer underneath the tooth enamel). Once caries reach the pulp (innermost layer of the tooth containing nerves, blood vessels, and cells) , it causes necrosis (death of cells) i.e death of pulp.
Further negligence can lead to periapical pathoses (inflammation) like periapical cyst, abscess (pus) and granuloma. This is when patients visit a dentist after most of the damage has happened. Prevention is better than cure:
The habit of rinsing mouth after eating should be followed.Proper brushing techniques should be adapted.
A soft bristle brush & a fluoride toothpaste is a must, since fluoride causes remineralisation of the enamel.
However, brushing immediately should be avoided as the acidic condition formed in the oral cavity after eating might cause tooth erosion.
Destruction of periodontal tissues (connective tissue that supports tooth) by organisms like Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Treponema denticola causes gingivitis which is gum inflammation. It gradually progresses to periodontitis (inflammation of tissue around the teeth) leading to tooth loss. It starts with formation of biofilm, plaque and eventually calculus, a hard structure formed along the gum line that pushes the gum away from the tooth.
This causes gingival recession & root exposure leading to sensitivity, pus accumulation, and deep pockets.
One must consider giving up the habit of smoking and alcohol consumption as it speeds up the destruction process leading to early tooth loss.
It is difficult to get rid of calculus manually. Hence, professional scaling every 6 months is encouraged to ensure removal of built-up plaque and calculus. Sticking to proper oral hygiene practices can potentially decrease your dental office visits.
Halitosis, commonly called bad breath is encountered in many individuals, it is caused by volatile sulfur compounds producing bacteria.
Caries, periodontitis, smoking, alcohol consumption, and poor diet are some of the reasons. Diabetics encounter halitosis due to xerostomia i.e dry mouth. Decreased saliva production & increased acidic environment lead to bad breath. Using sialogogues (an agent that promotes saliva) in diabetics can relieve the condition of dry mouth. One needs to floss, and scrape the tongue in addition to brushing. Mouthwashes can be of great help to combat this issue.
By understanding the impact of the oral microbiome on oral health, we should inculcate healthy oral hygiene habits in conjunction with a healthy, balanced diet to reduce the risk of oral diseases.
Author – Dr. Shaziya Shaik. BDS DHA & MOH registered GP Dentist.
Editor – Manisha B K, NUtreboot
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