Can poor oral hygiene lead to autoimmune diseases?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have been improving my oral hygiene, and am curious about its broader health impacts. Can you explain how oral microbiology and bacteria in the mouth are connected to overall health? how does poor oral hygiene potentially lead to serious conditions like sepsis or respiratory diseases? What are the best practices for maintaining good oral hygiene, and how often should I visit the dentist to prevent these issues? Are there specific signs or symptoms I should be aware of that indicate poor oral health might affect my general health?

Please guide.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

As you may be aware, the oral cavity serves as an entry point to the digestive and respiratory systems. Any changes or disturbances in the oral microbiota can potentially affect overall health.

Studies have reported that over 700 different microbial species have been found in the oral cavity, of which less than half have been cultivated. Around 250 of them have been studied and named. While it is normal to have these microbes in our mouth, as most are harmless or even beneficial, changes in their composition or environment can trigger an immune response, which can be harmful.

Pathogens or disease-causing microbes start to exert damage by releasing inflammatory or destructive tissue responses, leading to diseases or infections. This can worsen in the case of general health issues like diabetes, obesity, severe malnutrition, infections, leukemia, irradiation therapy, cardiovascular diseases, pregnancy, etc. Poor oral health can even affect nutrition and overall well-being due to pain or discomfort.

Therefore, studies have proven a significant connection between oral microbiomes and general health. Oral diseases can affect or worsen general health conditions, and the reverse is also true; general health diseases can affect or worsen oral conditions.

This emphasizes the importance of regular dental check-ups, proper oral hygiene through brushing and flossing, and maintaining a healthy diet, which is essential for oral health maintenance and, in turn, will strengthen overall health or lessen the burden in case of health issues.

I hope you can now understand that oral health impacts various systems of our body, mainly the immune response, and a dentist may also be able to identify general health issues during a dental check-up, as the oral cavity can reveal them.

Oral hygiene tips to follow:

Brush twice daily in a circular motion with a good toothbrush and well-recommended toothpaste.
Use floss or an interdental brush between the teeth regularly.
Use alcohol-free mouthwash occasionally, not regularly on a long-term basis.
Consider professional fluoride treatment if needed.
Avoid bad habits like smoking, chewing tobacco, grinding/clenching, and using toothpicks or pins.
Maintain a healthy diet by avoiding sugary and high-carbohydrate foods and drinks.
Have regular check-ups with the dentist every three to six months.
Get professional cleaning done by the dentist every six months.

Signs and symptoms.

Many signs and symptoms indicate poor oral health, but the main ones are redness, swelling, bleeding, ulcers, bad breath, loose teeth, pain, soreness, and calculus or tartar.

I hope this information helps you.

Please revert in case of further queries.

Thank you.