It may surprise you to learn how much your mouth influences your overall well-being. Even with great brushing and flossing habits, your mouth naturally contains billions of bacteria—some helpful, others potentially harmful. When these bacteria get out of balance, they can cause gum disease and even affect other parts of your body. Here’s a closer look at how oral health affects your body, and how to keep both your smile and your system in top shape.
How Oral Health Affects Your Body
The Bacteria Living in Your Mouth
Your mouth hosts an incredible community of over 6 billion bacteria, known as your oral microbiome. Some bacteria protect you, while others can cause inflammation and infection. These microbes live on your teeth, gums, tongue, and even your tonsils—areas that create the perfect environment for them to thrive.
When gum disease or oral infections develop, the protective barrier around your teeth weakens. This allows harmful bacteria to enter your bloodstream and travel to other parts of your body, leading to potential health complications.
The Hidden Threat: Pg Bacteria
One of the most harmful bacteria in the mouth is Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg). It can disrupt your oral microbiome, turning healthy bacteria into harmful pathogens. Once it spreads, Pg has been linked to serious health issues in the rest of the body, including:
- Pneumonia
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Heart disease
- Hepatitis
- Esophageal cancer
Pg can even cross the blood-brain barrier, contributing to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Researchers believe it may travel through the bloodstream or along nerves connected to the jaw, producing plaque associated with cognitive decline.
How Oral Health Affects Your Heart
People with gum disease are nearly twice as likely to develop coronary artery disease. While the exact reason isn’t fully understood, it’s believed that bacteria from the mouth can attach to fatty deposits in the heart’s blood vessels, causing inflammation and increasing the risk of blood clots and heart attacks.
The Link Between Oral Health and Blood Sugar
Dentists are often the first to detect diabetes, since gum disease and chronic oral inflammation are common early signs. Elevated blood sugar levels make you more prone to infection, while untreated gum disease can make blood sugar harder to control. Treating periodontal issues can therefore help manage diabetes symptoms more effectively.
Because most people see their dentist more frequently than their doctor, your dental team can play an important role in catching warning signs early and guiding you toward further medical evaluation.
Oral Health and Your Breathing
If you have gum disease, you may also face a higher risk of respiratory infections such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). When bacteria from the mouth are inhaled into the lungs, they can trigger inflammation and respiratory distress.
Fertility and Oral Health
Oral health can even influence fertility. Studies show that women with gum disease may take up to two months longer to conceive compared to those with healthy gums. Keeping your mouth healthy supports your body’s overall reproductive health and balance.
Simple Steps to Protect Your Mouth—and Your Body
Want to lower your risk of these health concerns? Strengthen your oral hygiene routine with these dentist-approved tips:
- Brush and floss daily: Disrupt the buildup of bacteria and biofilm on your teeth.
- Use mouthwash sparingly: Overuse can disturb good bacteria—rinse with water after meals instead.
- Eat a balanced diet: Fruits and vegetables increase saliva flow, help control harmful bacteria, and support gum health.
- Step up oral care if you have health conditions: Managing your oral hygiene can improve how well you control chronic illnesses.
- Visit your dentist regularly: Routine checkups and professional cleanings catch small problems before they become serious—and can even reveal early signs of diabetes or oral cancer.
Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body
Although some bacteria naturally travel through the body, maintaining strong oral hygiene helps keep harmful microbes in check. Regular dental visits protect not only your smile but also your heart, brain, and overall well-being.
📞 To book your next appointment, call 416-232-2033 or request a visit online.
Let’s keep your smile—and your health—strong for years to come!