The impact of oral care on the body

The oral cavity is an important portal of the human body. It is not only the primary channel for food to enter the body, but also an important tool for language communication and emotional expression. However, the importance of oral health is often overlooked by us, and its impact on the body is even less known. This article analyzes the impact of oral care on the body in a popular science way to help everyone better understand the importance of oral health.

1. Basic overview of oral care

Oral care refers to the process of keeping the oral cavity clean and preventing oral diseases by brushing, rinsing, flossing, etc. Good oral care habits can not only prevent oral diseases such as caries and periodontal disease, but also maintain overall health.

2. The importance of oral health and overall health

The relationship between oral health and overall health cannot be ignored. The oral cavity is a window to the human body, and the precursors of various diseases can be seen in the teeth, gums, mouth and tongue. Many serious medical diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, often show early manifestations in the oral cavity. Oral health is not only related to the health of teeth, but also closely related to the intake of nutrition and the improvement of immunity. Oral discomfort, such as toothache and tooth loss, often affects the chewing of food, resulting in insufficient nutrition intake, which is not conducive to overall health. Oral diseases may also cause a decrease in systemic immunity, and there is a certain correlation between periodontal disease and systemic inflammatory response. All of the above shows that oral health is related to overall health, and maintaining good oral health plays an important role in maintaining and improving overall health. In order to prevent the occurrence of various diseases, moderate regular oral health care, including regular teeth cleaning, daily brushing and flossing, is a basic means to maintain oral health. After understanding the basic knowledge and importance of dental care, everyone should realize that oral health care should not be ignored, and actively do a good job of oral health care as an important part of overall health, so as to stay away from many diseases.

3. The relationship between dental health and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases

Dental health is associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Periodontal disease and oral fungal infection are risk factors. Periodontal bacteria can spread through the blood and affect cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health, causing arteriosclerosis and thrombosis. Oral health is important for overall health, and keeping the mouth clean helps prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

4. Oral health and diabetes

The relationship between oral health and overall health is widely believed to be inseparable, and when it comes to diabetes specifically, this relationship is very close. Oral problems in diabetic patients are one of the common systemic diseases in such patients. Common symptoms include dry mouth, bad breath, bleeding gums, oral ulcers, etc. Clinical studies have shown that diabetes can make people more susceptible to oral diseases, and once they suffer from serious oral diseases, it may in turn affect blood sugar control and aggravate the condition of diabetes. Severe periodontal disease can increase blood sugar levels and may even cause diabetes. The relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes is bidirectional. Coincidentally, periodontal disease treatment can help improve blood sugar control, which means that improving oral health may become a new strategy for controlling diabetes.

5. Oral health and respiratory health

Relationship between oral disease and respiratory infection: Oral problems such as periodontal disease and gum infection may lead to respiratory infection, especially when oral bacteria enter the lungs through inhalation. The protective effect of oral care on respiratory health: Through good oral care, keeping the mouth clean and reducing bacterial growth, the risk of respiratory infection can be reduced.

6. The impact of dental care on low birth weight and premature birth

There is a potential link between oral health and the weight and birth time of newborns. Studies have found that women with periodontal disease during pregnancy are more likely to give birth to low-birth-weight babies or premature babies than pregnant women without this disease. It is speculated that oral diseases during pregnancy may lead to an increase in inflammatory substances, affect fetal growth, and even cause premature birth. Periodontal disease can cause inflammatory reactions in the oral cavity, and long-term untreated may cause systemic diseases. When oral inflammation occurs, inflammatory substances will enter the body through the blood system and reach the uterus where the fetus is located. The uterus, which should provide nutrition for the fetus to achieve healthy development, is affected by these inflammatory substances, which may cause the fetus to be unable to obtain enough nutrition, resulting in low birth weight. On the other hand, oral diseases during pregnancy can enhance certain factors in the patient's body that can induce premature birth to stimulate the uterus, causing pregnant women to start contracting prematurely. It is advocated that pregnant women pay more attention to oral health during pregnancy, which is not only beneficial to their own health, but also creates a good growth environment for the unborn child, so that it has a healthy starting point. As part of oral health management, dental care deserves the attention of every expectant mother and father.

The connection between oral health and overall health is far more profound than it seems. Whether it is preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory diseases, or even low birth weight and premature birth, it has a significant impact. Oral health is no longer a single oral problem, but is closely related to the overall health of the human body. Promoting a healthy oral lifestyle is an important way to improve the health quality of the whole people.

Author: Li Qiuzhong, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical College