Link Between General Health and Oral Health

Mouth-Body Connection

Oral health is essential to general health and well-being at every stage of life. 

The mouth serves as a “window” to the rest of the body, providing signals of general health disorders. 

The mouth also a portal of entry for pathogens and toxins, which can affect the mouth and, if not cleared by the many defense mechanisms that have evolved to protect the oral cavity, may spread to the rest of the body.

Bacteria from the mouth can cause infection in other parts of the body when the immune system has been compromised. Systemic conditions and their treatment are also known to impact on oral health (e.g., reduced saliva flow).

So,oral health and general health are closely related.

Oral disorders affecting systemic condition (eg, diabetes, heart disease, pneumonia). It also as markers of systemic disease (eg, Vitamin B12 deficiency &AIDS ). 

Besides that, oral condition affecting by treatment for other systemic disorders such as reduce salivary flow due to radiation. Hence, dry mouth occur and it can cause many oral disease like cavities and ulcer.

In contrast, systemic disorders affecting oral health. Diabetes patient more high risk develop periodontal disease (gum problem ) due to immunodeficiency.

In conclusion, taking care of oral hygiene does not only promote oral health, but also overall health.