Oral and dental problems may be a warning (Gerardo Vieira/Getty)
Oral and dental problems may, in many cases, be a warning, according to a report published by the British newspaper, “The Mirror”, which quotes a dental official at a health center. United Kingdom“Dental health may be the first line of defense in detecting symptoms of larger health problems in the rest of the body,” Neil Sickle said.
Sickle talks regarding that “dental diseases may give a clear picture of the health status of the individual. Blue lips, for example, indicate poor blood circulation, and gum disease in general may indicate Diabetes“.
Dentistry specialist Dr. Hussein Hoteit confirms in his interview with Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that many studies have proven the relationship between oral health and body health, as researchers discovered a link between the deterioration of oral health and public health, adding: “The first signs that warn public health may be affected. It is the multiplication of bacteria in the teeth that may lead to infections in the mouth, and may also be an indication of diseases cancer. It is noteworthy that bacteria may move from the mouth to all parts of the body in the event of neglecting treatment, which leads to diseases related to the heart. Many studies have alerted to the risks of cardiovascular disease and its association with oral bacteria.”
Hoteit also states that, “It is common knowledge that the smell of the mouth indicates the presence of fungi, and warns of diseases in the digestive system. Oral diseases mainly affect pregnant women, as complications from gum and dental diseases are the possibility of premature birth, as changes in hormones are affected Dental health for pregnant women.
According to The Mirror, he might know Dentists Often if the patient suffers from bulimia, i.e. eating bingely through the method of tooth decay and decay, note that one of the repercussions of bulimia is that people may develop persistent vomiting accompanied by the production of a lot of stomach acids that are enough to make the enamel layer in the teeth erode.
Psychological health
And a study conducted by the American medical website WebMD, which specializes in publishing scientific and health studies, monitored the impact of dental health on mental health, “damaged teeth make the patient suffer from permanent embarrassment from smiling or even talking, so he plunges into introversion and avoids contact with people.”
The newspaper “The Mirror” indicates that many people suffer from the problem of grinding teeth, which often results from stress and anxiety. Hence, dental specialist Dr. Susie Lloyd stresses that the problem of bruxism must be addressed by a psychologist before the dentist.
In her interview with Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, psychiatrist Dr. Reem Al-Haraka believes that psychological problems may affect dental health, and thus physical health. She says, “Often, depressed patients eat large amounts of harmful foods or drinks that contain high levels of sugar, or smoke excessively, which leads to an increase in gum and dental diseases. Some people with mental disorders may stop eating completely. A kind of weakness occurs in the movement of the mouth and jaw, as well as weakness and delirium in the body.”
WebMD explains that “the problem of abstaining from eating due to psychological disorders has very dangerous effects that go beyond the idea of weakening the jaw and teeth, because abstaining from food means the loss of many minerals and vitamins, foremost of which is low levels of calcium, which is the essential element of human health, Loss of calcium can weaken the surface layer of enamel.
Preventive oral health care
Hoteit stresses the need to remind individuals to visit the dentist at least twice a year, “as this visit can reveal many diseases, and allow a comprehensive cleaning of the mouth and teeth, and the removal of harmful layers of tartar.”
He also advises “the need to take care of the health of the mouth and gums through the use of antiseptics, and in the absence of these disinfectants, water and salt can simply be used, which can fight bacteria in the mouth. It is necessary to wash the teeth twice a day, with flossing that helps reduce congestion inside the mouth.” As a conclusion, dental health cannot be neglected, and in the event of a sore mouth, a visit to the doctor must be made immediately.
According to the World Health Organization, “Oral diseases are increasing in most low- and middle-income countries, for several reasons, including insufficient exposure to fluoride in water supplies and oral hygiene products such as toothpaste, intake of foods high in sugar, and lack of availability of health care services. The marketing of foods and drinks rich in sugar, tobacco and alcohol has led to increased consumption of products that contribute to oral health and other noncommunicable diseases.”
