What does oral health have to do with your brain and body?
Author: Dr Alexandra Jones, Co-Founder and Board Chair
There isn’t a lot of evidence-based, accessible and engaging information out there about how our mouths work and how the health of our mouth can impact our mind and body.
Across my 30 years working as a dentist in regional and metropolitan parts of the country, I’ve often shared with people that your mouth is a gateway to the rest of your body, and it has a lot to say!
Your oral health is deeply connected to your overall health. What’s happening in your mouth can influence and be influenced by what’s happening in your brain, heart, gut, and more.
Let’s start with the basics: your mouth is full of bacteria!
Don’t freak out though, that’s normal – most of them are harmless. But when harmful bacteria build up they can cause inflammation in your gums.
Over time, that inflammation, and the bacteria itself can travel through your bloodstream and lead to other health problems.
Brain health
Gum disease has been linked to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s. Chronic inflammation may contribute to changes in the brain.
Heart health
People with gum disease may be at higher risk of heart disease. Inflammation from oral infections can make existing heart conditions worse.
Lung health
Bacteria from the mouth can be inhaled into the lungs, especially in older people or those with chronic conditions. This increases the risk of respiratory infections like pneumonia.
Diabetes
It goes both ways. High blood sugar makes gum disease more likely. But gum disease also makes it harder to control blood sugar.
Pregnancy
Poor oral health is linked to premature birth and low birthweight. People who are pregnant and have gum disease may be more at risk of complications.
The good news? Many of these issues are preventable. I wanted to share some lesser known but important tips that help keep your mouth and your whole body in good shape.
Stay hydrated
Water helps keep saliva flowing, which protects teeth and gums. Too much caffeine or alcohol can dry your mouth out.
Cut back on fizzy drinks
Any kind of soft drink is acidic and may erode your tooth enamel (even the low or no sugar options).
Give your mouth a break
Wait at least an hour between meals or snacks. Constant grazing keeps acid levels high, which increases the risk of tooth decay.
Avoid smoking or vaping
Both reduce blood flow to the gums, weaken your immune system, and increase your risk of gum disease and even oral cancer.
Look after your mental health
Stress, anxiety and poor sleep can lead to teeth grinding or jaw clenching, which can damage teeth and cause pain.
And yes, brushing your teeth twice a day still matters too!
But while good daily habits make a big difference, we can’t talk about prevention without also talking about access.
Because to truly look after your oral health, you also need: affordable dental care, clean water and healthy food, services that are culturally safe and trauma-informed, and health systems that treat the mouth as part of the body.
And right now millions of Australians don’t have access to these essentials, and that’s a public health problem, not a personal failure.
One of the things I’m looking forward to doing in my role at FRED is advocating for policies that put people (and prevention) first.
If you’re working in this space and want to connect, I’d love to hear from you.
You can reach me at Alex@fred.org.au
