Good dental hygiene can improve overall health
Good dental hygiene does more than benefit teeth - it can improve overall health, writes David Tan
We know the basic rules of good dental hygiene: daily brushing, frequent flossing and regular visits to the dentist.
Apart from keeping cavities and other dental problems at bay, good dental hygiene could keep your heart healthy and prevent cancer, too.
"The presence of inflamed gum tissues is associated with poorer overall health," says Dr David Paquette, professor and associate dean for education at Stony Brook University's School of Dental Medicine in New York State, US.
A pregnant woman's dental health can have an impact on the health of her baby
"Patients with periodontal disease and diabetes have poorer glycaemic or blood sugar control. Likewise, patients with periodontal disease are at higher risk for developing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease."
Paquette was among the international dental experts who spoke at the eighth biennial International Dental Exhibition and Meeting in Singapore this month. He describes studies which indicate there is a consistent and significant association between periodontal disease and future cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, stroke, or atherosclerosis.
With atherosclerosis, the walls of blood vessels thicken, restricting blood flow and increasing blood pressure. It's a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke and death.
Tender, red or swollen gums are indications of periodontal, or gum, disease. It is a chronic inflammatory condition that attacks the gum tissue and the bone supporting the teeth.