General Dentistry

9 Quick Facts about the Mouth-Body Connection

Aug 12 • 1 minute read

A pile of smooth rocks are stacked on a wooden table.  


The term "mouth-body connection" refers to way your oral health plays into your overall well-being. What goes on in your mouth in terms of bacteria, disease, and inflammation plays into nearly every aspect of your physical health. In fact, a great deal of research is being conducted into the links between things like periodontal disease and heart attacks. The bottom line is that your oral health directly affects your greater physical health.

This week, we're going to share 9 quick facts about the mouth-body connection:

  1. Tooth decay, lost teeth, and poor oral health can impact a person's self-esteem and confidence. This can increase a person's anxiety and even affect development during the early years of a person's life.
  2. Chronic inflammation as a result of periodontal disease increases the risk of heart disease.
  3. Chronic inflammation from gum disease can also increase the risk of stroke.
  4. Recent studies have found that there may be a link between cognitive functioning and tooth loss in older adults.
  5. Poor oral health makes you more vulnerable to infection.
  6. If you have diabetes, you are at greater risk of developing periodontal disease.
  7. Advanced gum disease increases the risk for pregnant mothers of a pre-term delivery and low birth weight.
  8. Poor oral health can worsen respiratory conditions such as pneumonia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  9. The American Academy of Periodontology says that men are more likely to develop kidney, pancreatic, and blood cancers if gum disease is present.

Thanks for Reading!

We hope this list of facts about the mind-body connection highlights how important your oral health is in terms of your overall health. Take care of your mouth! If you enjoy our dental tips, facts, and tidbits of news, please like or share our Facebook page!

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