How effective tooth cleaning prevents stroke, diabetes —Expert

Professor of Dentistry and former deputy vice-chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Gbemisola Oke has warned that Nigerians who suffer from gum diseases  stand a greater risk of experiencing diseases as diabetes, stroke and pneumonia.

Professor Oke, gave the charge in a lecture she delivered at the Continue Medical Education lecture of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State branch.

The community dentist stated that diseases like diabetes, cancer, heart disease stroke and chronic lung disease have been linked to problems like tooth decay, tooth loss, mouth odour and gum disease.

She declared that studies have found that individuals with moderate gum disease stand a two-fold increased risk of developing diabetes when compared with healthy individuals.

Professor Oke stated that gum disease can also be indicative of a poor blood sugar control in diabetes, adding that those diagnosed with stroke are more likely to have gum disease.

According to her, “Experimental studies indicated that there is a 14 per cent increased risk of developing coronary heart disease in an individual with gum disease when compared with the healthy controls.

“Bacteria from the mouth, if there is an inflammation of the gum, can enter the bloodstream through the lungs. Such a foreign body within the bloodstream can render the blood vessels susceptible to blockage.

“The bacteria stick to fatty plaques in the bloodstream causing blockages. This increases susceptibility to diseases like stroke and coronary heart disease.”

Professor Oke warned that untreated gum disease may lead to progressive loss of tooth support and eventually tooth loss.

According to her, “many elderly people you find without teeth assume that it is because of old age. Rather, it is due to persistent and untreated gum disease.

“Moreover, the number of lost teeth has been shown to be a predictor of cardiovascular deaths. There is a direct link between the number of lost teeth and gum disease or periodontitis.”

• Bleeding from my gums

The expert, however, assured that interventions like tooth scaling polishing can help to reduce germs in the mouth.

She declared “reviews show that intervention to reduce oral microbial load resulted in reduced risk of nosocomial hospital acquired pneumonia, an issue of particular relevance for the elderly persons.”

Professor Oke said considering the consequences of neglecting the mouth, individuals should be proactive on their oral health.

For good oral health, she suggested complementing toothbrushing with flossing, mouthwashes and chewing of sugar free-gums.

Sugar-free gums, according to her, will increase the production of saliva to clean the tooth.

She urged twice-yearly dental checkup as well as increased physical activity, intake of water and fruits and vegetables to improve oral health.

The don declared that reducing the burden of oral disease demands action from the individual, family and community level, stressing that poor oral health goes beyond the mouth since it can cause a serious toll on overall health and well-being.

The occasion’s chairman, Professor Jonathan Lawoyin urged doctors to make mouth examination a part of normal physical examination of their clients.

He stated that some disease manifestation in the mouth can be picked up earlier this way.