Why oral health is important!
It’s been a hectic 2 weeks! 11 days ago I had soil and mulch delivered. After I enthusiastically started shovelling, the neighbour kids came to ‘help’ and I ended up with my foot in a rake (kids bought a rake over to assist with their efforts but it ended up under my foot). So a trip to ED and 5 hours later I was released with a tetanus-shot and flushed out puncture wounds. I worked and tried to rest that week; while keeping an eye on my foot. Foot was doing well and improving quickly with icing and rest. Massaging clients went reasonably, even stopped it from stiffening up too much.
Fast forward a week; I’m due at the Periodontist who is going to scrape all my teeth due to plaque built up, -despite 2 x yearly visits to dentist-. This involves a LOT of needles and scraping under my gums; I walk out; face numb/mouth numb, throat numb; swallowing and even blinking was an effort. I had taken Friday and Saturday off work as I wouldn’t be able to massage well and relaxation would not be in the books in a situation like this, mine nor yours. Instead I had a fat foot and a fat face.
I’m doing well, as far as both injuries go until Friday lunch time. Foot starts going red and feeling hot, start to develop a fever and I know these are signs of an infection. I manage to see a doctor in the afternoon; an infection is brewing. Antibiotics and rest; if getting worse, go to Emergency. Now those of you that know me: I don’t do antibiotics, or pain killers or anything really, I just push through and trust my body will ‘fix’ me.
This time I knew my body needed help; I’ve been overseas for a month, travelled back only 2 weeks ago, had a cold straight after; the old body had taken a beating. Years ago I had an infection in my hand that I left way too long and nearly lost my hand, so I had learned my lesson and getting older also brings slightly more wisdom to the party, so antibiotics and painkillers it was.
So 2 days of sitting and lying around followed. I totally suck at doing nothing, I think it’s amazing for about 40 minutes, I’ll watch something and then I have enough; I try to see the kids; although briefly, because teenagers are not the nicest people to hang out with, check on my plants, do some work, interfere here and there and research oral health.
Like other areas of the body, your mouth teems with bacteria — mostly harmless. But your mouth is the entry point to your digestive and respiratory tracts, and some of these bacteria can cause disease. Normally the body's natural defences and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, keep bacteria under control. However, sometimes bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease.
Also, certain medications — such as decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers, diuretics and antidepressants — can reduce saliva flow. Saliva washes away food and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, helping to protect you from microbes that multiply and lead to disease. Oral bacteria and the inflammation associated with gum disease (periodontitis) might play a role in some diseases. And certain diseases, such as diabetes, can lower the body's resistance to infection, making oral health problems more severe.
What conditions can be linked to oral health?
Your oral health might contribute to various diseases and conditions, including for example:
Endocarditis. infection of the inner lining of your heart chambers or valves (endocardium): typically occurs when bacteria or germs, spread through a bloodstream and attach in your heart.
Cardiovascular disease. research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause.
Pregnancy and birth complications. Periodontitis has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
Pneumonia. Certain bacteria in your mouth can be pulled into your lungs, causing pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.
Certain conditions also might affect your oral health, including:
Diabetes reduces the body's resistance to infection. Gum disease appears to be more frequent among people who have diabetes and also controlling their blood sugar levels is harder.
Osteoporosis. This bone-weakening disease is linked with periodontal bone loss and tooth loss.
Other conditions that might be linked to oral health include eating disorders, rheumatoid arthritis and certain cancers
Am I trying to freak you out? Hell no! But the importance of maintaining oral health is just another part of the health journey, you might not always feel like it, but it is important. So besides exercising, eating healthy, having amazing massages, meditation for mental health, add oral hygiene to the self-care list. Even if you are going to the dentist, they might not pick this up (mine certainly didn’t, until I changed dentists) so be pro-active.
Latest update: my foot still swells after a lot of walking or standing, and my teeth still hurt regularly, however I can feel my body is improving; I finally managed yoga today and it was amazing! Once I finish the antibiotics, I’ll throw myself in a health kick as my body needs needs all the vitamins and minerals I can offer it after depleting it with antibiotics.
Lessons learned; wear shoes when working outside, keep an eye on your surroundings, REST, take medications if needed, keep an eye on oral health & practice doing nothing more often.
Take care of yourself! Hanneke x
