Oral health plays a critical role in our mouths, teeth, gums, and even tongue, but it’s also important for our overall well-being. Poor oral health can impact more than just a smile; research shows it can influence our overall health, quality of life, mental health, and longevity.
Because the mouth is also the entry to the digestive tract and is important for breathing, oral health is linked to more conditions than tooth decay and gum disease. While it is vital to maintain good oral health through brushing your teeth daily and flossing, it’s essential to be aware and mindful of how other conditions are connected to oral health.
For instance, studies have shown that dental health and mental health are interconnected. When someone has a mental health condition, like anxiety or depression, it can contribute to poor nutrition, which, in turn, contributes to poor dental health.
In this article, we’ll explore different general health conditions and their impact on oral health. This includes how stroke affects oral health and how respiratory conditions impact oral health. We’ll also cover whether any general health conditions affect All-on-4® suitability.
Which General Health Conditions Impact Oral Health
Several general health conditions impact oral health, such as diabetes, chronic stress, and osteoporosis. These conditions often create an interlinked, two-way relationship, and poor oral health can also worsen the condition.
Below, we’ve outlined a few general health conditions linked to oral health. These conditions also highlight just how important integrated care is for oral health, as overall well-being, including physical and emotional health, is all connected.
Diabetes
Diabetes can significantly impact oral health, especially if left uncontrolled. Research has shown that diabetes leads to a higher chance of periodontal (gum) disease. This infection affects the gum and bone and can lead to bad breath, chewing difficulties, and even tooth loss.
Diabetes can also delay the healing process, making it harder to receive dental treatment and combat periodontal disease. Other problems that having diabetes can increase the risk of are dry mouth and a fungal infection known as thrush, which can lead to tooth decay, discomfort, and infections.
Osteoporosis
Currently, an estimated 853,600 people in Australia live with osteoporosis or osteopenia. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that results in the loss of bone mass and density. Although teeth are not bone, the disease can still significantly impact oral health.
Osteoporosis can indirectly affect teeth and impact overall dental health by causing changes to the jaw, where teeth are held in place. Research has shown that osteoporosis can lead to jaw pain and tooth loss.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and oral health are closely linked, with the two conditions both influencing each other. RA is a common autoimmune disease that leads to chronic inflammation of the joints, resulting in pain and decreased mobility.
Due to the chronic inflammation caused by RA, people living with it have a higher chance of developing gum disease. Joint stiffness from RA can also make it harder to maintain oral health, especially in the hands and fingers, making it challenging to floss or brush teeth.
Anxiety & Depression
Mental health disorders and symptoms like anxiety and depression can impact oral health both directly and indirectly. Below, we’ve outlined a list of the different ways these conditions can impact your teeth and jaw.
- Studies have shown that people who suffer from anxiety or depression can struggle with daily routines, including maintaining proper oral hygiene. This can lead to a decline in oral health, resulting in plaque buildup, tooth decay, and gum disease, which also increases mental health symptoms.
- The medication used to treat symptoms of anxiety and depression often has unintended side effects, which can impact the mouth. This includes dry mouth—the reduced saliva production, which results in higher risks of cavities, gum disease, and oral infection.
- Anxiety can sometimes lead to teeth grinding or clenching, also known as bruxism. This can significantly wear down your teeth, causing jaw pain, tooth sensitivity, headaches, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders in extreme cases.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia can lead to oral health issues if left untreated. For instance, the frequent vomiting that is associated with bulimia can lead to enamel erosion and tooth decay from the acidity.
Chronic Stress
Similar to anxiety, chronic stress can also lead to bruxism—the condition that involves teeth grinding and clenching. This significantly wears down your teeth, causing pain, headaches, and TMJ in severe cases. Chronic stress can also weaken the immune system, which can be problematic when receiving dental treatment.
Strokes
Research has found that strokes can have a massive impact on oral health, both neurologically and due to lifestyle changes. Below, we’ve outlined a few of the major effects it can have.
- Many stroke patients experience weakness, paralysis, or loss of coordination, often on one side of the body. This results in reduced motor control, which can make thorough flossing and brushing difficult, leading to worsened oral health.
- Strokes can cause dysphagia, a condition in which an individual has difficulty swallowing. Dysphagia can trap food particles in the mouth or throat, increasing the chance of cavities and infections.
- If the stroke results in cognitive changes, like memory loss or difficulty concentrating, it can lead to a neglect of oral health. The stroke patient may forget or lack motivation to maintain their oral hygiene routine, leading to plaque buildup, gingivitis, and other dental problems.
Respiratory Illness
The mouth is used for breathing and eating, so poor oral hygiene can increase the risks of respiratory illness. Poor oral hygiene and gum disease can result in harmful bacteria in the mouth, which can be inhaled through the lungs, leading to respiratory infections.
Respiratory diseases often involve chronic inflammation, which can also extend to the mouth, exacerbating gum disease and potentially resulting in tooth loss. In some cases, the medication used to treat respiratory illnesses can lead to dry mouth, which increases the risk of gum disease, oral infections, and cavities.
Do These Conditions Impact All-on-4® Suitability?
All-on-4® is a dental restoration treatment that is a long-lasting, fixed alternative to dentures. It consists of removing any remaining teeth and replacing them with a new arch of teeth supported by four dental implants in the upper or lower jawbone.
Several of the above-listed health conditions can, depending on their severity, affect the suitability of All-on-4® dental implants. For instance, if diabetes is left uncontrolled, it can delay the healing process after dental implant surgery and increase the risk of infection, which could impact suitability as it could be unsafe.
However, due to the innovation of the All-on-4® treatment, people who may not be suitable for traditional individual dental implants may be suitable for All-on-4®.
Before undergoing All-on-4® treatment, it is important to have a comprehensive evaluation done by a professional to see if you’re eligible and if the condition impacts suitability.
Find Out If You’re An All-on-4® Candidate at Next Smile Australia
If you’re considering the All-on-4® treatment and want to know if you’re a candidate, Next Smile Australia offers consultations to determine suitability. Even if you have a general health condition, it’s possible you could still be eligible for the All-on-4® treatment. Candidates can include people who have lost teeth due to an injury or illness and people who can’t have their teeth restored by other means.
All-on-4® patients don’t need to be missing every tooth to be eligible. A Next Smile Australia Super Clinic dentist will assess your situation during your consultation. They will consider your dental goals and medical history, including any general health conditions.
If you’d like to learn more about the All-on-4® treatment, you can attend an information session or contact Next Smile Australia to arrange a personal consultation.