World Oral Health Day, 20th March 2023

A healthy mouth is important for your overall health and wellbeing

World Oral Health Day is an opportunity to talk about the importance of oral health and the impact it can have on your overall health and wellbeing.

Maintaining good oral health is important at every stage of your life. No matter what age you are, caring for your mouth and looking after your oral health is important.

Normally the body’s natural defences and maintaining good oral hygiene, such as daily brushing and flossing, keep bacteria under control. However, without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease. These can be uncomfortable and costly if you pay for your dental treatment.

A lesser-known fact is that poor oral health is associated with increasing your risk of developing other serious health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. Poor oral health also puts you at greater risk of developing pneumonia, inflammation in the lung caused by an infection especially if you are an older person living in a care home.

Ideally, good oral hygiene habits should be set from a young age. We’d encourage parents and care givers to take their children to the dentist and teach them how to care for their teeth and gums. We know it can be daunting and difficult for some children and there are lots of resources out there to help support.

The British Society for Paediatric Dentistry has worked with Dr Ranj to produce a series of helpful videos on how to look after your teeth. Visit: www.bspd.co.uk/Kidsvids

As you go through life, you should continue to brush your teeth twice a day and floss between your teeth. Cut down on sugar and continue to go for your regular dental check-ups. The NHS website has lots of useful information about how to look after your teeth and gums. Visit: www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums

There is also evidence that poor oral health is associated with the development of clinical frailty, a condition which predisposes people at risk to loss of functional ability after a comparatively minor health stress event such as an infection or an injury. By maintaining good oral hygiene, we can help to address one of the factors that may lead to health deterioration in older people who are at risk of or living with clinical frailty.

If you are caring for someone, it’s important to help them maintain good oral hygiene.

Be proud of your mouth, value and take care of it.

Dr Jennifer Hoyle, Consultant Respiratory Physician & Clinical Lead for the Respiratory Network.

Dr Saif Ahmed, GP & Clinical Advisor for the Frailty Network.

Prof Martin Vernon, Consultant Geriatrician & Clinical Lead for the Frailty Network.