Poor oral health linked to diabetes and pregnancy complications: Dentists

A radiant smile holds the power of making someonersquos day However bad odour yellow teeth and plaque buildup can be offputting 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 mouthWe dig deep into oral care to achieve desirable oral healthCelebrity dentist Dr Kshama Chandan founder House of Tooth Mumbai says ldquoOur 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 wellbeing and quality of liferdquoDr Anjana Satyajit head of dentistry Artemis Hospital Gurugram says ldquoPoor 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 checkups prevent plaque buildup reducing the risk of these complicationsrdquo What health risks are associated with poor oral healthSatyajit Poor oral health can lead to a range of health risks including1 Gum diseases Gingivitis and periodontitis can cause gum inflammation infection and ultimately tooth loss2 Tooth decay Cavities can develop when plaque a sticky film of bacteria accumulates on teeth and produces acid eroding tooth enamel3 Cardiovascular diseases Oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream potentially contributing to heart disease clogged arteries and stroke4 Diabetes complications Gum disease can make it harder to control blood sugar levels exacerbating diabetes symptoms and complications5 Respiratory infections Inhaled oral bacteria can lead to respiratory infections such as pneumonia especially in vulnerable populations6 Pregnancy complications Poor oral health has been linked to premature birth low birth weight and preeclampsia in pregnant individuals7 Altered nutritional intake Tooth loss and oral pain may restrict food choices leading to poor nutrition and related health issuesOverall maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for preventing these health risks and promoting overall wellbeingHow do dietary choices influence our oral healthChandan 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 cavitys overall health by neutralising the acids and remineralising tooth enamel and rinsing away food particlesSatyajit What we eat directly impacts the health of our teeth and gums Sugary and acidic foods contribute to tooth decay and enamel erosion while nutrientrich 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 infectionsWhich foods are bad for our oral healthChandan 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 layersSatyajit Several foods can be detrimental to oral health especially teeth1 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 decay2 Acidic foods and beverages Acidic foods such as citrus fruits tomatoes and vinegarbased dressings can weaken tooth enamel over time This erosion leaves teeth more vulnerable to decay and sensitivity3 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 hardtoreach areas4 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 cavities5 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 decayWhich foods keep the teeth healthy and benefit overall oral healthChandan Foods rich in fibre whole grains beans lentils calcium leafy greens dairy products sugarfree with xylitol lean proteinsnuts chicken vegetablescarrots 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 cavitySatyajit 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 remineralisationCrisp 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 acidsLeafy 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 healthHow can common oral health issues like teeth sensitivity decay cavities and plaque be preventedChandan 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 alcoholfree mouthwash twice a dayAvoid tobacco smoking and chewing tobaccobased products Visit your dentist for routine checkups Do natural foods like neem lemon or clove help improve oral healthChandan 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 sensitivityUsing 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 doesnt address the underlying problem Regularly using clove can also irritate and burn the gumsWe 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 Itrsquos best to always visit your dentist regularly rather than falling prey to any of these home remediesHow can fizzy drinks cause severe oral health issuesSatyajit 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 Heres why fizzy drinks are harmful to teeth1 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 erosion2 Acidic nature Carbonated drinks are acidic and can weaken tooth enamel over time making teeth more susceptible to damage sensitivity and decay3 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 disease4 Erosion of dental restoration The acidity in fizzy drinks can also erode dental restorations like fillings and crowns leading to further dental problemsWhat are some natural ways to keep the mouth freshChandan Water mints fresh herbs ginger water cinnamon and citrus fruits in moderation can naturally keep your mouth fresh and odourfreeSatyajit Several natural foods can help keep the mouth fresh and odourfree like citrus fruits as they contain vitamin C which helps in killing bacteria in the mouth and freshen breathGreen 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 breathFresh herbs like mint parsley basil and cilantro have natural antibacterial properties and can help freshen breathCloves have natural antimicrobial properties and can help freshen breath while providing temporary relief from toothaches and oral discomfortWhen should one see a dentistBoth Chandan and Satyajit sayOne should see a dentist regularly for routine checkups and preventive care but certain signs indicate a need for an immediate dental appointment1 Persistent or severe toothaches2 Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures3 Discomfort while chewing food all of which could indicate underlying dental issues such as cavities infection or tooth damage4 Gum issues like swollen tender or bleeding gums5 Persistent bad breath or changes in gum colour could signal gum disease and require immediate dental attention6 Loose teeth gaps between teeth or sudden tooth loss may indicate advanced gum disease or other underlying dental problems that require evaluation by a dentist7 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 dentist8 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 neededDisclaimer This information does not replace professional medical advice Consult a qualified specialist or your physician for personalised guidance