Poor oral health linked to diabetes and pregnancy complications; healthy diet crucial: Dentists

A radiant smile holds the power of making someone's day. However, bad odour, yellow teeth and plaque build-up can be off-putting let alone indicating poor oral hygiene as well as overall health. Ahead of World Oral Health Day celebrated annually on March 20, we reached out to dentists asking for tips to maintain good oral hygiene. Among all the other aspects, they stressed the importance of eating the right food for a clean mouth.

We dig deep into oral care to achieve desirable oral health.

Celebrity dentist Dr Kshama Chandan, founder, House of Tooth, Mumbai says, "Our mouth is a gateway to our body and poor oral hygiene can lead you to various health issues. A healthy mouth contributes to your overall well-being and quality of life."

Dr Anjana Satyajit, head of dentistry, Artemis Hospital Gurugram says, "Poor oral hygiene can lead to various dental issues such as cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. Additionally, it can contribute to systemic health problems like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups prevent plaque buildup, reducing the risk of these complications."

What health risks are associated with poor oral health?
Satyajit: Poor oral health can lead to a range of health risks, including:

1. Gum diseases: Gingivitis and periodontitis can cause gum inflammation, infection, and ultimately tooth loss.

2. Tooth decay: Cavities can develop when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, accumulates on teeth and produces acid, eroding tooth enamel.

3. Cardiovascular diseases: Oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream, potentially contributing to heart disease, clogged arteries, and stroke.

4. Diabetes complications: Gum disease can make it harder to control blood sugar levels, exacerbating diabetes symptoms and complications.

5. Respiratory infections: Inhaled oral bacteria can lead to respiratory infections such as pneumonia, especially in vulnerable populations.

6. Pregnancy complications: Poor oral health has been linked to premature birth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia in pregnant individuals.

7. Altered nutritional intake: Tooth loss and oral pain may restrict food choices, leading to poor nutrition and related health issues.

Overall, maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for preventing these health risks and promoting overall well-being.

How do dietary choices influence our oral health?
Chandan: Having a healthy and balanced diet is crucial. A balanced diet provides essential nutrients like calcium, phosphorus and vitamins which play a crucial role in maintaining the teeth and healthy gums. However, acidic beverages, sugar, alcohol and tobacco hamper the overall health. Hydration helps maintain saliva production, improving the oral cavity's overall health by neutralising the acids and remineralising tooth enamel and rinsing away food particles.

Satyajit: What we eat directly impacts the health of our teeth and gums. Sugary and acidic foods contribute to tooth decay and enamel erosion, while nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and dairy products promote dental health. Additionally, a balanced diet supports gum health and strengthens the immune system, aiding in the prevention of gum disease and other oral infections.

Which foods are bad for our oral health?
Chandan: Sugary foods, acidic foods, sticky food, hard candies and ice, alcoholic beverages, carbonated drinks and much more harm our teeth in more ways than one could imagine. These foods fuel the bacteria in our mouth and produce acids that harm the tooth surface, weaken the protective enamel layer, and erode the enamel gradually. Hard candies and ice tend to weaken the tooth, chip and crack leading to injuries exposing the inner layers.

Satyajit: Several foods can be detrimental to oral health, especially teeth:

1. Sugary foods and drinks: Sugary items like candies, sodas, and sweets provide a breeding ground for bacteria in the mouth, leading to the production of acid. This acid attacks tooth enamel, causing erosion and increasing the risk of cavities and decay.

2. Acidic foods and beverages: Acidic foods such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and vinegar-based dressings can weaken tooth enamel over time. This erosion leaves teeth more vulnerable to decay and sensitivity.

3. Sticky and chewy foods: Sticky candies, dried fruits, and chewy snacks can cling to teeth, making it difficult for saliva to wash away sugars and acids. This prolonged exposure increases the risk of cavities and enamel erosion, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.

4. Starchy foods: Starchy foods like chips, crackers, and bread can break down into simple sugars in the mouth. Bacteria then feed on these sugars, producing acids that contribute to enamel erosion and cavities.

5. Carbonated drinks: Carbonated beverages contain high levels of phosphoric and citric acid, which can wear down tooth enamel over time. Additionally, the sugar content in many carbonated drinks fuels bacteria growth and contributes to cavities and decay.

Which foods keep the teeth healthy and benefit overall oral health?
Chandan: Foods rich in fibre (whole grains, beans, lentils), calcium (leafy greens, dairy products), sugar-free (with xylitol), lean proteins(nuts, chicken), vegetables(carrots, celery) and lots of water promote healthy teeth and benefit oral health. All of the above in balanced portions goes a long way helping in maintaining a healthy oral cavity.

Satyajit: Foods that promote dental health and benefit oral health include dairy foods like milk, cheese, and yoghurt. They are rich in calcium and phosphorus, which help strengthen tooth enamel and promote remineralisation.

Crisp fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery act as natural toothbrushes, helping to scrub away plaque and food particles and stimulating saliva flow, which aids in cleaning the mouth and neutralising acids.

Leafy greens like spinach and kale are high in vitamins and minerals like calcium and folic acid, which promote gum health and protect against gum disease. Nuts and seeds are rich in nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, which support tooth enamel strength and overall dental health.

How can common oral health issues like teeth sensitivity, decay, cavities and plaque be prevented?
Chandan: Brush twice, with fluoride toothpaste in the morning and night for at least two minutes with a proper brushing technique. Rinse and gargle with an alcohol-free mouthwash twice a day.

Avoid tobacco smoking and chewing tobacco-based products. Visit your dentist for routine check-ups.

Do natural foods like neem, lemon or clove help improve oral health?
Chandan: As dental practitioners, we commonly encounter questions such as whether using neem, cloves and many more such home remedies works. Neem is a good antibacterial but rubbing them directly onto your teeth daily may erode the tooth enamel. The same is true with lemon. It is highly acidic and weakens tooth enamel increasing the sensitivity.

Using clove oil for pain relief is something commonly used by people as a home remedy which for a short period does relieve the pain but doesn't address the underlying problem. Regularly using clove can also irritate and burn the gums.

We also come across so many videos promoting baking soda for teeth whitening. It does more harm than good. It erodes the tooth surface causing tooth sensitivity. It's best to always visit your dentist regularly rather than falling prey to any of these home remedies.

How can fizzy drinks cause severe oral health issues?
Satyajit: Fizzy drinks alternatively known as carbonated or soda drinks, pose significant risks to oral health when consumed excessively, especially among young adults who may be addicted to them. Here's why fizzy drinks are harmful to teeth:

1. High sugar content: Most fizzy drinks have high levels of sugar, which feeds bacteria in the mouth that produce acids. These acids attack tooth enamel, resulting in cavities, decay, and tooth erosion.

2. Acidic nature: Carbonated drinks are acidic, and can weaken tooth enamel over time, making teeth more susceptible to damage, sensitivity, and decay.

3. Drying effect: Fizzy drinks can have a drying effect on the mouth by reducing saliva production which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

4. Erosion of dental restoration: The acidity in fizzy drinks can also erode dental restorations like fillings and crowns leading to further dental problems.

What are some natural ways to keep the mouth fresh?
Chandan: Water, mints, fresh herbs, ginger, water, cinnamon and citrus fruits in moderation can naturally keep your mouth fresh and odour-free.

Satyajit: Several natural foods can help keep the mouth fresh and odour-free like citrus fruits as they contain vitamin C, which helps in killing bacteria in the mouth and freshen breath.

Green tea consumption is also encouraged to maintain oral health as it contains catechins, natural antioxidants that have antibacterial properties and can help in reducing oral bacteria that cause bad breath.

Fresh herbs like mint, parsley, basil, and cilantro have natural antibacterial properties and can help freshen breath.

Cloves have natural antimicrobial properties and can help freshen breath while providing temporary relief from toothaches and oral discomfort.

When should one see a dentist?
Both Chandan and Satyajit say:

One should see a dentist regularly for routine check-ups and preventive care, but certain signs indicate a need for an immediate dental appointment:

1. Persistent or severe toothaches

2. Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures

3. Discomfort while chewing food, all of which could indicate underlying dental issues such as cavities, infection, or tooth damage.

4. Gum issues like swollen, tender, or bleeding gums

5. Persistent bad breath or changes in gum colour could signal gum disease and require immediate dental attention.

6. Loose teeth, gaps between teeth, or sudden tooth loss may indicate advanced gum disease or other underlying dental problems that require evaluation by a dentist.

7. Mouth sores, ulcers, or lesions that do not heal within two weeks could be signs of oral cancer or other serious conditions and must be examined by a dentist.

8. Apart from these, jaw pain, persistent bad breath or symptoms indicating infection like swelling, bleeding etc. are some of the signs indicating that medical intervention is needed.

Disclaimer: This information does not replace professional medical advice. Consult a qualified specialist or your physician for personalised guidance.