New study shows more needs to be done to raise public awareness on the impact of good oral health habits on overall health

• Low
  awareness of the importance of good oral health during pregnancy 

During pregnancy, higher hormone levels can change the way the
body reacts to plaque build-up, causing swollen gums, an early sign of gum
disease. Pregnant women with severe gum disease, also known
as periodontitis, are more at risk of giving birth prematurely, suffer pre-eclampsia, or have
a baby with low birth weight – meaning good oral health habits and seeking
advice from healthcare professionals are critical¹.  

Yet, just 46% of respondents to the survey
were aware that good oral healthcare can support a healthier pregnancy,
with lower risk of complications. Similarly, the awareness of the risks of
poor oral health for pregnancy among older respondents above 50, who will
be grandparents and often advisors, was just as low at 45%. 

• Higher
  risk groups unaware of oral health links to diabetes  

Poor oral health can cause gum inflammation and
infection. This can make it harder for the body to control blood sugar levels,
and respond appropriately to insulin². In turn, high glucose
levels in the saliva of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes sufferers can increase the
risk of dental decay, and their high blood sugar levels mean general wounds,
including those in the mouth, heal more slowly. 

While 52% of all respondents and 50% of respondents over 50 were
aware that good oral health has a positive impact on helping to
maintain blood sugar levels and manage diabetes, this number dropped
to only 36% for respondents between the age 18-29.  A rising rates of diabetes including an
estimated 14% Singaporeans aged 18-19 years being diagnosed with pre-diabetes³,
suggests a need for targeted awareness raising and education among all
age-groups.  

• Oral
  health links to cardiovascular disease better recognised 

Research shows that people with severe gum
disease are at higher risk of heart 
 
disease. The bacteria that
attack gums can spread throughout the body in  
the bloodstream and can cause inflammation⁴. 

55% of respondents were aware that good oral health habits
can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. 

The study highlighted the significant role of regular dental
visits in improving understanding of the relevance of oral health to
overall health. Respondents who visited a dentist more
frequently during the pandemic compared to before were more aware of
the impact of oral health on all conditions surveyed.   

• 76% of
  respondents in South East Asia who visited the dentist more frequently compared
  to pre-Covid times were aware that good oral health can improve the chance of
  healthy pregnancy compared to 58% of respondents on average.  
• 77% of
  respondents in South East Asia who visited the dentist more frequently compared
  to pre-Covid times were aware that good oral health can reduce the
  risk of cardiovascular disease, compared to 65% of respondents on
  average.  
• 74% of
  respondents in South East Asia who visited the dentist more frequently compared
  to pre-Covid times were aware that good oral health can help to manage diabetes
  compared to 62% average of respondents on average.

Dr
Lim Lii, Dentist, Dental On The Bay, said: “The association
between oral health and overall health is well-documented by the scientific
community. However, public awareness of the wider benefits of careful
tooth-brushing, taking care of your oral cavity and regular dentist visits
remains worryingly low. There is a real need to show consumers that it can be
more than their smile put at risk if they don’t take care of their mouths
properly.”