Why is dental hygiene beneficial for health?
Oral health plays an important role in our overall well-being. In this section, we will review the correlation between metabolic health and dental health. We know that dental caries are associated with infection and inflammation, and metabolic syndrome is associated with chronic inflammation in our bodies, which is also the cause of chronic health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, cancer, and neurological cognitive dysfunction.
When reviewing several studies, it was found that decreased dental hygiene was associated with an uptick in the incidence of metabolic syndrome. The factors considered were teeth brushing frequencies, dental cleanings, and overall oral hygiene.
We can draw a relationship with oral and systemic health secondary to the subgingival biofilm that can result with poor oral hygiene that can harbor gram-negative bacteria and play a role in inflammation and acting as a cytokine reservoir.
The dental plaque that results from increased dental caries causes a state of bacterial overgrowth, chronic inflammation in the periodontal tissue, and systemic bacteremia.
Poor oral hygiene is associated with a constant low level of chronic inflammation, which in turn translates to inflammation systemically. Poor oral hygiene has been categorically linked to chronic inflammatory states like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and elevated cholesterol levels.
Chronic inflammatory mediators like TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta are associated with metabolic syndrome and contribute to insulin resistance. Bacteria in plaque, periodontal inflammation, and systemic bacterial seeding starting from poor oral health that can further worsen systemic inflammation.
Studies were reviewed between 2009 and 2020, and a sample size of close to 4000 + was taken from this group. When looking at overall oral health, toothbrush brushing and dental visits—tooth brushing was associated with the most beneficial effects and was associated with decreased incidence of metabolic syndrome.
From this above topic, you can see how your oral and dental health can affect your health as a whole. As always, I wish that you keep your focus on health and nutrition and live long and strong!
