Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

When you brush and floss the right way, you lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes and other conditions. Keeping a healthy mouth keeps your entire body healthier.

Why Does Oral Health Matter?

More and more health conditions are being linked to your oral health as a result of bacteria and inflammation that occur in the mouth. Gum disease can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream and contribute to a wide range of chronic health problems, such as:

Preterm birth. Severe gum disease may increase the risk of preterm delivery and giving birth to a low birth weight baby.
Poorly controlled diabetes. If you have diabetes, you're at increased risk of developing gum disease. When gum disease becomes severe, it can make diabetes more difficult to control by causing insulin resistance, which reduces blood sugar control.
Cardiovascular disease. Oral inflammation due to bacteria (gingivitis) can play a role in clogged arteries and blood clots. More and more evidence shows that bacteria in the mouth lead to inflammation throughout the body, including the arteries, which contributes to the buildup of artery-clogging plaque.

More than 45 percent of adults 30 years and older have some form of gum disease, which increases their risk for these health problems.

Older Adults: Oral Health Matters More

2/3 of adults over age 65 have gum disease.

When older adults become less active and more dependent on others, oral care can suffer. And even small declines in memory and attention that come with age means that brushing and flossing can become less regular. Over time, these can cause the risk from poor oral health to gradually increase.

Older adults get all the benefits of good oral care that others do, such as lowering chronic disease risk. But this can matter more as you get older:

Cancer risk naturally rises with age, but you can lower your risk of oral cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer, among others, when you keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Diabetes is more likely to develop as you grow older, especially when you are less active daily. Gum disease is closely linked to heightened diabetes risk, so oral health becomes more important for seniors.
Medications for some chronic health conditions can cause dry mouth. Without the protective effects of saliva, oral bacteria can grow more readily. Your doctor or dentist can help with dry mouth, but extra care with oral hygiene is vital, too.

Develop a good relationship with your dentist and get oral health checkups when your dentist recommends them.

In Depth: The Links Between Oral Health and Overall Health for Older Adults PDF

Warning Signs to Watch For

Gum disease, infections and even oral cancer have early indications that are important to watch for.

See your dentist if you notice any of these signs of gum or mouth infection:

Painful gums
Bleeding, swollen or tender gums
Bad breath that won’t go away
Sores in your mouth

Also watch for these changes in your mouth that can be signs of possible oral cancer. Let your dentist know if they don't go away after a few days:

A lump or thick area in your mouth, lip, or throat

A white or red patch in your mouth

Numbness in your tongue or mouth

Swelling in your jaw, or ear pain.

Four Steps to Great Oral Health

Lower your risk for oral and chronic diseases with the Daily 4:

Brush your teeth twice a day: Use a fluoride toothpaste and brush for two minutes. It's the most important step to reduce plaque and prevent gum disease.
Floss every day: Daily flossing removes plaque and food particles that cannot be reached by a toothbrush.
Eat healthy foods: Avoid sweets and sugary drinks, and avoid snacking between meals to reduce bacteria and acid damage in the mouth.
Visit a dentist regularly for checkups and cleaning. Dentists can spot problem signs early, and help you stop them.