The Association Between Oral and General Health

Abstract

Increasing evidence reveals significant interactions between oral health and general health that are unidirectional and often bidirectional, making the challenges of poor oral health considerable. In this chapter, the associations between oral health and (aspiration) pneumonia, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, dementia, nutrition, frailty, and other disorders in older people are discussed. A bidirectional association has been shown between periodontitis and diabetes and related guidelines have been developed, addressed to healthcare practitioners. The presence of oral biofilm may increase the risk of respiratory tract infections in frail older people. Poor oral health has been associated with cognitive decline and oral infections with cardiovascular disorders. Poor oral health may also be associated with dietary changes and malnutrition. However, a causal correlation between oral health and most of these disorders has too little scientific evidence. When assessing potential causing pathways between oral health and general health, common risk factors play an important role. More research is needed to confirm most of the previous associations. Given the fact that oral health is an integral part of general health and well-being, oral health prevention and promotion strategies should be embedded within routine medical assessment and care provision.