World Oral Health Day 2025: How Oral Health Impacts Overall Well-Being?

World Oral Health Day 2025: To spread awareness about the significance of oral health, and equip people with the knowledge and tools for good oral health, 20 March is observed as the World Oral Health Day. Not many are aware of the implications of poor oral health on their overall well-being. In this article, let us delve into how oral health impacts our overall health. 

The Link between Oral health & Overall health 

Oral health is the window to overall health. We have heard it many times but solemnly do we understand how our teeth, tongue, and mouth can improve or degrade the health of our body. 

World Health Organisation has defined oral health as the “state of the mouth, teeth, and orofacial structures that enable individuals to perform essential functions such as eating, breathing and speaking, and encompasses psychosocial dimensions such as self-confidence, well-being and the ability to socialize and work without pain, discomfort, and embarrassment.” Oral health, in an extension is inherently linked to not just our physical but also psychological health as it impacts our confidence and well-being as well. 

From the mouth, not just food but many foreign elements enter our body through air, water, or solids. Our mouth is the first part of the long digestive tract of our body and hence it can carry the good, bad, and ugly through our body making it apparent how maintaining good oral health can go a long way in maintaining good overall health. 

Hence, dental health problems can lead to problems in the heart, stomach, and/or lungs. Let’s take a look at the common diseases that are associated with bad oral health. 

Common diseases caused by poor oral health 

Good oral health is beyond white teeth and fresh breath. Hence poor oral health can lead to many serious diseases. 

Cardiovascular Disease: Any disease related to your heart, arteries, and blood vessels is termed under the category of cardiovascular disease. Research has shown that poor oral health can lead to clogged arteries, stroke, and other heart diseases due to the inflammation and infection one gets with exposure to oral germs. 

Pneumonia: Germs from the mouth can easily travel up to the respiratory tract and enter the lungs causing pneumonia. 

Pregnancy complications: A gum disease called periodontitis has been linked with premature birth and low birth weight of the baby.

Endocarditis: An infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers. Endocarditis is usually caused by germs entering the body through the mouth and spreading through the blood. 

Tips for good oral health 

Maintaining good oral health is easier if the actions in that direction are consistent. Here are a few tips to have good oral health. 

• Brush twice a day. 
• Don’t skip flossing. 
• Take regular dental check-ups. 
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle. 
• Reduce consuming aerated drinks, caffeine, or alcohol. 
• Replace toothbrush every 3-4 months.