Your oral health is more important than you think. Learn how the health of your mouth, teeth and gums can affect your overall health.
What is the connection between oral health and overall health?
Like other areas of the body, the mouth is full of mostly harmless bacteria. But the mouth is the entry point to the digestive and respiratory tracts, and some of these bacteria can cause disease.
Normally, our immune system and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, keep bacteria under control. However, without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that can lead to oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease.
In addition, certain medications, such as decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers, diuretics and antidepressants, can reduce saliva flow. Saliva washes away food and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, which helps protect you from microbes that multiply and lead to disease.
