How does brushing your teeth protect your overall health?

Taking care of your teeth and mouth can have a positive impact on your overall well-being. Researchers have linked poor oral care to issues with diabetes and the heart. Experts have even seen connections with oral care and Alzheimer's, but say more research needs to be done.

In today's Health Matters with TSET, Amy Slanchik visits the dentist.

The Gateway to the Body

The mouth, often called the "gateway" to the body, deserves attention if you're focused on your health.

"The mouth is really, with all the bacteria we have in there and portals of entry, with gum disease, can affect the whole body,” Dr. Rieger Wood said. He is the Director of Operations at the OU College of Dentistry in Tulsa.

The clinic is beginning its fourth year, where junior and senior students work with actual patients.

Oral Hygiene Routine

"I always put it that my patient has got to find dental religion. They've got to find the ability to maintain their mouth,” Dr. Wood said.

Dr. Wood says that religion includes a routine:

Visit the dentist every six months to address any tooth decay.

Change your toothbrush once a month, and after you're sick.

Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day.

Tips for Better Brushing

One thing Dr. Wood recommends to help remove plaque is called dry brushing. He says that means brushing for two minutes with no toothpaste, before brushing like normal.

"I love dry brushing. It's a technique that we were taught back in dental school, and it fell out of vogue,” he said. “It's not one of those things that people really profess, but we find that it's very effective, because you can turn gingivitis around very quickly."

He shared a simple tip for better brushing:

"I tell my students that this is kind of like the queen's wave -- you think about when she waves,” he said, while demonstrating with a model. “And so if you take that brush and move it back and forth, it gets between the teeth."

Dr. Wood suggests brushing your teeth while watching a meteorologist's full forecast. That includes dry brushing and regular brushing for a total of four minutes.

Editor’s Note: News On 6 meteorologists’ full forecasts typically last between 3 and 4 minutes, depending on the day and the newscast. Just don’t use this tip during severe weather, or you might be brushing for a while!

Health Issues Linked to Oral Care

The Heart

Gum disease is linked to a higher risk of heart disease.

The American Heart Association offers these tips to improve oral health and heart health:

1. Eat a healthy diet rich in essential nutrients and reduce intake of refined carbohydrates like added sugars and processed grain foods.
2. Avoid smoking and tobacco use, such as dipping and chewing tobacco, cigarettes, vaping or hookah, as they can affect gums and increase the risk of heart disease.

Read more about the connection here.

Alzheimer's

Experts have seen connections with oral care and Alzheimer's, but say more research needs to be done.

Harvard Medical School says:

“Scientists have previously found that this species of bacteria, called Porphyromonas gingivalis, can move from the mouth to the brain. Once in the brain, the bacteria release enzymes called gingipains that can destroy nerve cells, which in turn can lead to memory loss and eventually Alzheimer's.”

The National Institute on Aging also reports on the connection between oral health and dementia, but says:

“A long-term follow-up for this study is needed because the findings suggest that oral infection preceded the diagnosis of dementia. After all, having dementia makes it more likely that an individual will not be able to brush and floss effectively, which increases the likelihood of such infections and gum disease. In any case, it is important to keep in mind that population studies can show association but not causality. The authors emphasize that clinical trials are needed to test whether treating infections with P. gingivalis can reduce the development or symptoms of dementia.”

Read more about the connection here and here.

Diabetes

In his 44 years of being a dentist, Dr. Wood explains the most common health issue he's seen related to oral care:

“People that are diabetic, I think, probably that is one of the most common conditions that are out there,” he said. “And you're seeing all these people that are diabetic now…And those people have gum disease, typically. And if they don't maintain it -- now if they maintain it, and they find 'dental religion' then we'll turn around, and you can see their health issues change too."

Read more about the connection here

Your mouth is about more than your smile, and caring for it can be simple.

"Eat healthy. Brush and floss,” Dr. Wood said.