Importance of oral health in systemic health and greater need for dental insurance

Abstract

The mouth is often looked at as a system separate from the rest of the body and even has its own branch of healthcare. Because of this oral health is seen as an entity entirely different and less cared for than systemic health. This however is not the case. Research shows that oral health and systemic health are linked and problems with one can negatively impact the other. When proper oral hygiene is not maintained many oral health issues including gingivitis can result. Gingivitis is early-stage gum disease and if it is not addressed properly, can develop into more severe periodontitis. The effects of gingivitis and periodontitis, along with other oral health issues, don’t stop in the oral cavity, they affect the entire body in significant ways. Similarly, conditions in other parts of the body can negatively impact one’s oral health, causing a wide array of complications. The COVID-19 virus impacted the health of the oral cavity and dental office closures coupled with the loss of dental insurance for many people made it impossible for them to counteract these afflictions. The early effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on oral health have been noted and if not dealt with, will have severely detrimental consequences on oral health. If individuals do not have access to resources to maintain and improve their oral health, it will only deteriorate more and more bringing about issues not only in the oral cavity but throughout the whole body