WHEN the author of the biblical verse declared that it is what comes out of a man’s mouth that defiles him and not what enters, in a literal context, he was obviously unaware of the fact that the opposite is precisely true. In the late 1990s, the dental and medical communities were revolutionised by research showing a link between oral health and systemic health. The culprit: bacteria. Today, this knowledge seems second nature.

November is celebrated nationally as Oral Health Month. During this month, we are made aware of what oral health entails. Is it the same for everyone, given that many people have different oral conditions, such as missing teeth, restored teeth, and so on? These are good questions to consider, as everyone has different existing conditions.
According to the World Health Organization, “Oral health is a standard of the oral and related tissues which enables an individual to eat, speak, and socialise without active disease, discomfort, or embarrassment and which contributes to general well-being.” Society, in general, has always viewed a pretty smile as an indicator of good teeth and healthy gums. Yet statistics indicate otherwise, and all professional dental organisations advocate for optimal oral health.

Many say that the eyes are the windows to the soul, which means they could be the windows to the body—or, better yet, the doors. It only makes sense that what a person ingests will lead to either a healthy lifestyle or an unhealthy one. We dentists are taught that we should not treat the oral cavity but rather people with an oral cavity. The mouth is not separate from the rest of the body. Why it took centuries to realise that oral bacteria could contribute to declining health may forever remain a mystery.

There are both short-term and long-term effects of what one does today because of diet and exercise routines. Yet many people would rather live for today than worry about tomorrow. For dental professionals, it is imperative to influence patients to make changes to their eating habits if they want to save their teeth. For other healthcare providers, it is essential to influence patients to make lifestyle changes to live longer, healthier lives.

While it certainly occurs, few people die from oral diseases. Yet the cost of treating them is astronomical at all levels: individuals, families, third-party insurance companies, and government agencies. For example, in the United Kingdom, the cost of treating dental disease outweighs the cost of treating all cancers and heart disease (East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority, 2009). The American Academy of General Dentistry is among those promoting the importance of oral health, recognising that more than 90 percent of all systemic diseases have oral manifestations and that oral infections can affect major organs (bacterial endocarditis). The Surgeon General has reported that some form of periodontal disease or gingivitis affects more than 75 percent of the population.

The statistics reveal the significance of dental professionals in preventing and treating oral diseases, as they may be the first healthcare providers to diagnose a problem. Regular oral healthcare and education are imperative for improving oral health and will impact the well-being of all.
Since the late 1990s, as previously mentioned, it has become more apparent with continued research that not only is cardiovascular disease linked to oral disease, but so are respiratory disease and preterm low birth weight (PLBW) babies. Good or normal bacteria thrive in the same environment as infectious microorganisms.

As medical research continues to assist in better understanding this link, oral health practitioners must continue educating patients about the relationship that exists between oral and systemic health.
Of course, bacteria are not the sole influence on systemic diseases that claim the lives of millions each year. Other known risk factors still include stress, tobacco use, high blood pressure, family history, genetics, weight, alcohol use, and lack of physical activity. More risk factors are being discovered every year that can shorten one’s lifespan.