Dr. Hysum Riaz
Conflict affects our lives in diverse ways. Among other things, health is one of the major casualties in any armed conflict. Kashmir having been reeling under a severe conflict from over past 20 years is no exception.
Doctors and health expert say that not a single person in Kashmir could claim to be completely fit—mentally as also physically. They say that depression and other mental ailments are the most common diseases that have swept Kashmir over the years of conflict.
Depression never comes alone. It carries along many other diseases and affects us both at physical as well as mental level. To count and discuss those diseases at one go would require a strenuous effort but here, we would talk of something which is often neglected and paid less attention to.
Recent research has revealed links between depression and oral health. Our oral health is more important than we think. Oral health can give us clues about our overall health and the problems in our mouth can affect the rest of our body.
Like many areas of the body, our mouth is full of bacteria’s- most of them being harmless. Normally, the body’s natural defense and good oral health care, such
as daily brushing and flossing, can keep these bacteria’s under control. However without proper oral hygiene bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections such as tooth decay and gum diseases.
Many other conditions linked to oral health:
Endocarditis: is an infection of the inner lining of heart. Endocardium occurs when bacteria from another part of body such as mouth spread through bloodstream and attach to the lining of heart endocadium and cause infection.
Diabetes: it reduces the body’s resistance to infection- putting gums at risk.
Gum disease appears more coming and severe among people who are diabetic.
Researches have shown that people who have gum diseases have harder time controlling their blood sugar levels.
Pregnancy and birth: periodontitis has been linked to premature birth and low.
Cardiovascular diseases: Some researches have shown that heart diseases, clogged arties and stroke might be linked to oral bacteria.
Other conditions that might be linked to oral health are osteoporosis, HIV/AIDS, Sjogren’s syndrome – a disorder that causes dryness of mouth.
To protect our oral health, practice good oral hygiene every day.
• Brush your teeth at least twice daily
• Eat a healthy diet and limit in between snacks.
• Replace your tooth brush 3-4 months or sooner if bristles are flared.
• Go for regular dental checkups or at least once in 3 months.
Ref: American dental association healthy mouth healthy body .journal of the American dental association, 2006 137:563
(The author is a dentist working at Community Health Centre, Zainapora. You can send your articles to [email protected])
