What your smile says about your health
While there’s no direct cause and effect relationship, many scientific studies link people with chronic mouth problems like periodontal disease, gingivitis and gum inflammation to other chronic conditions including:
- Heart Disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Peptic Ulcers
- Reduced memory and cognitive function
- Inflammatory illness; arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis
- Pre-term deliveries and low birth weight among children of mothers with oral disease
You can explore the connections between oral health and these conditions by looking through some of the references we used in creating this article. See below for more information.
For now, try these super simple ways to improve the health of your smile!
Try rinsing or brushing with bi-carbonate of soda. This is a great way to improve oral pH balance and discourage the growth of plaque that leads to gum disease. Improved oral pH reduces inflammation so it's useful for improving or avoiding inflamed conditions like gingivits. More balanced oral Ph will also help speed healing of other mouth infections including ulcers. Bi-carb soda has the added benefit of whitening teeth, which is why it’s often added to oral care products.
Another to clean your teeth is by eating – that's right, eating! Munching on healthy snacks like carrots or celery helps loosen food particles stuck between teeth and increases saliva production. Saliva helps neutralise acids that damage tooth enamel and is essential for circulating calcium and phosphate to assist enamel protection. This means increased saliva has a double benefit for healthy teeth; it reduces enamel damage and increases enamel protection.
Natural Life Products for Oral health
Propolis Liquid: The antibacterial, antibiotic and antiviral properties of Propolis help heal and prevent gum infections, ulcers and inflammation. Add a few drops to a small amount of water and use as a gargle or mouthwash. As a gargle, Propolis liquid may help ease symptoms of some throat infections.
Manuka Honey: Famous for wound healing, even in the mouth! Apply Manuka Honey directly to a mouth ulcer or cold sore for faster healing. If you eat Manuka Honey, swish it around in your mouth before swallowing adding antibacterial activity to gums, throat and digestive tract.
Honeycomb wax: Chewing gum is great for healthy teeth because it removes unwanted food and increases saliva production by up to 10 times! Chewing natural wax from honeycomb does the same with the added bonus of antibacterial activity from the honey for an even healthier mouth!
References:
http://www.ada.org/en/science-research/ada-seal-of-acceptance/product-category-information/chewing-gum
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/oral-health-the-mouth-body-connection
http://www.dynamicdentalinc.com/blog/bid/81389/How-Baking-Soda-Can-Keep-Your-Mouth-and-Teeth-Healthy
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/DataStatistics/SurgeonGeneral/sgr/chap5.htm#portal
http://www.gumassociation.org/index.cfm/facts-figures/frequently-asked-questions/is-it-true-that-chewing-gum-is-good-for-oral-hygiene/
http://www.perio.org/consumer/other-diseases
