Your mouth is the window to your overall health

Here at Wayside, we focus on prevention and that starts with good oral hygiene. We have five hygienists who are all passionate about oral health and there’s now a lot of evidence to show us just how important this is.

Your mouth is the entry point to the digestive tract and the respiratory tract. So, disease and germs in the mouth can spread through the body. Our bodies are clever and have natural defences to keep germs under control. However, this can change when we have gum disease and studies suggest that these germs and inflammation might play a role in some disease.

Your oral health might play a part in the following conditions:

• Endocarditis.  This infection of the inner lining of the heart chamber occurs when germs from another part of the body, such as the mouth, spread through the blood and attach to certain areas in the heart.
• Cardiovascular Disease. Some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke might be linked to the inflammation that oral germs can cause.
• Pregnancy and Birth Complications. Gum disease has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
• Pneumonia. Certain germs can spread to the lungs which can cause respiratory disease.
• Covid. A new study has found that people with advanced gum disease are more likely to suffer from severe complications from Covid.
• Diabetes. There is evidence to suggest that severe gum disease makes diabetes harder to control or can increase the complications.

Gum disease is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. Yet it is a disease that can easily be prevented or managed in its early stages. The first sign of gum disease is blood on your toothbrush or after spitting out. It is important to keep brushing your teeth including any areas that bleed and to use a fluoridated toothpaste.

If you are concerned about your oral health, or just want your teeth to look great, call us to book an appointment.