Oral Hygiene is Key to Good Health
Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, has urged the public to take good care of their teeth and gums to boost their general health.
Dr Carter said that many people underestimate the importance of oral hygiene, but research has shown that taking good care of your teeth can help to reduce the risk of medical illnesses. Dr Carter also said that oral hygiene is particularly important for pregnant women, as oral diseases have been linked to an increased risk of complications during labour and child birth.
David Offord, a dental surgeon from Edinburgh, said that the evidence to support the link between oral diseases and medical conditions, is a little “patchy” but experts believe that oral diseases increase the risk of some conditions due to the presence of bacteria in the mouth, which can enter the bloodstream and travel to other parts of the body. Offord said that many strains of bacteria are completely harmless, but when an individual has gum disease, this could potentially cause systemic problems. The risk of illnesses can therefore be reduced by adopting a good oral hygiene routine and attending regular check-ups.
Offord said that research studies have revealed links between poor oral hygiene and a host of conditions, but the fact that gum disease is preventable should be as comforting news for those worried about their health. Spending a few minutes every day cleaning the teeth and flossing will help to reduce the risk of gum disease, which in turn should decrease the risk of other health conditions.
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