Mouthing off: The importance of good dental health

Posted on 5 February 2021

Poor oral health is more than just a pain. It can also have serious implications for your overall wellbeing. Read on to find out why a visit to your dentist should be part of your annual planning

Your mouth is the entry point for the rest of your body, points out Dr JayCee Combrinck, a dentist at Mediclinic Bloemfontein. That means that whatever happens in your mouth can affect your entire body, and vice versa – so it’s definitely worth checking out that niggle in your gums.

More than just your mouth

In fact, according to Dr Combrinck, poor oral hygiene may play a role in several serious conditions. These include endocarditis, which occurs when bacteria from the mouth spread through the bloodstream and attach to vulnerable parts of the heart, like the valves. There is also a link between oral hygiene and diabetes, as patients who experience inflammation in the mouth can often struggle to absorb and use blood sugar for energy. This is known as insulin resistance. Gum health has, furthermore, been linked to cardiovascular disease, with the bacteria causing periodontitis activating inflammatory responses once they enter the bloodstream, eventually leading to the formation of plaque in the blood vessels. What’s more, the same bacteria may exacerbate conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or pneumonia if they enter the lungs.

The list doesn’t stop there. Cape Town dentist Dr Amien Khan warns that poor oral hygiene may lead to increased plaque, which can result in bleeding gums, gingivitis, periodontitis, bad breath and mobile teeth. It’s even associated with certain types of cancer, and can cause poor pregnancy outcomes, like low birth weight infants.

Getting the basics right

Given the potential impacts, it’s wise to have a basic oral hygiene regimen in place. Dr Khan says this should include brushing morning and evening and rinsing after meals, flossing daily and using an alcohol-free mouthwash. Your bi-annual visits to the dentist are also crucial – but, if you’re experiencing problems like toothache, bleeding gums, facial swelling, bad breath or broken teeth, you may wish to schedule an appointment sooner.

Dr Combrinck says it’s also important to watch out for sensitivity to hot foods, as this indicates possible cavities or exposed nerves; while sensitivity to sweet and sour foods are a sign of possible abrasion.

No longer have your own teeth? Even then, it’s still a good idea to check in with your dentist once a year, as this provides an opportunity to screen the oral cavity for signs of cancer.

The dentist visit: What to expect

Dr Combrinck explains that your consultation starts with a description of your concerns. From there, says Dr Khan, your facial skin, lymph and salivary glands, head and neck muscles, sinuses and nerves will be examined, before the dentist takes a look at all the soft tissue of your mouth, throat, the floor of your mouth and tongue. You should also expect a basic periodontal exam, including the gingiva of the teeth, and a check on the function of your upper and lower jaws, to see if you’re grinding your teeth or need bite correction. You may need X-rays if there are any signs of pathology, and to see the structures of the teeth and nerves. Finally, all of this information will be charted so that your dentist can formulate a treatment plan going forward.