HJAR Jan/Feb 2020

56 JAN / FEB 2020 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS An individual’s lifestyle and habits play a big role in oral health, thereby affecting over- all health. Tobacco products, including ciga- rettes, pipes, e-cigarettes, and chewing to- bacco, have negative effects in the oral cavity. The foremost are stain, foul odor, and cancer potential. If an individual participates in any of these habitual activities, they are placed in a higher risk category for future oral cancer potential. HPV-16 has a close association to oropharyngeal cancer. HPV vaccination may sharply reduce oral HPV infections that are a major risk factor for acquiring oropharyn- geal cancer. Oral health status greatly affects pregnan- cy. Hormonal and physiological changes are multifaceted, and these changes canmanifest in the mouth. Gingivitis, gingival hyperplasia, pyogenic granulomas, and various salivary alterations are a few of the changes com- monly witnessed among pregnant wom- en. Vomitus affects the oral cavity, as the increased acidic level is seen in the saliva. Morning sickness and nausea often cause reduced proper oral hygiene habits, which lead to increased bacteria in the mouth and in the bloodstream. Poor oral health status is linked to preterm delivery and low birth weight babies 10 . Studies show how a deficient level of vi- tamins and minerals in the phase before conception influences the development of the fetal embryo. This concurrently influ- ences dental organogenesis, the growth of the maxilla, mandible, and skull and facial development 11 . Environmental and genetic factors also play a weighted role in oral health. For ex- ample, having a genetic predisposition to dia- betes places an individual in a higher risk category for environmental sensitivities and caloric excess. Type 2 Diabetes is driven by the epidemic obesity problem evident in the U.S., and is complicated by constant envi- ronmental and social habits of consumption. Diet influences the health of the oral cavity in development of teeth, onset of dental ero- sion, state of periodontal health, and the oral mucous in general 12 . The interdisciplinary collaboration of both dental and medical professions is of upmost importance to provide care in the model of a whole body approach of achieving optimal health. The oral cavity is an integral part of the body, which has vast influence. The good news is that many oral diseases, the mani- festations of which wreak havoc on overall health, can be prevented and treated if caught early. Healthcare providers must promote healthy practices for good oral health, which are essential for positive overall health out- comes. n Dr. Niki Carter, D.M.D., is Dental Director at Delta Dental of Arkansas. Dr. Carter earned a doctorate from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry in 1988.After completing a General Practice Residency in Louisville, Kentucky, she returned toArkansas and established her private practice in general dentistry in 1989.After 25 years,she sold her practice to initiate the ORAL HEALTH The good news is that many oral diseases, themanifestations of which wreak havoc on overall health, can be prevented and treated if caught early. first General Practice Residency programat UAMS.Dr. Carter joined Delta Dental of Arkansas in 2019. Dr. Carter is a member of the American Dental As- sociation, and has held various leadership roles at local,state,and national levels, including president of Arkansas State Dental Association’s (ASDA) Central District Dental Society, ASDA Central District Execu- tive Council representative and ASDA New Dentist Chair of Arkansas. REFERENCES 1 Tooth Decay Is the Most Prevalent Disease: https://www.mdedge.com/fedprac/arti- cle/114729/pain/tooth-decay-most-prevalent- disease 2 Dental Caries Overview: https://www.nidcr . nih.gov/research/data-statistics/dental-caries 3 Oral Health and Well-Being: https://www. ada.org/.../health-policy-institute/oral-health- and-well-being/arkansas-facts 4 Dental Statistics (US & Worldwide) - Electric Teeth: https://www.electricteeth.com/dental- statistics 5 How Your Oral Health Affects Your Overall Wellness: https://www.webmd.com/oral- health/features/oral-health-affects-wellness 6 The Effects of Oral Health on Systemic Health: https://www.agd.org/docs/default- source/self-instruction-(gendent)/gendent_ nd17_aafp_kane.pdf 7 Percentage of Adults 65+ Who Have Had All of Their Natural Teeth Extracted https://www.kff.org/other/state-indicator/ percent-who-had-all-teeth-extracted/ 8 How Does the Oral Cavity Affect the Entire Body?: https://info.nihadc.com/integrative- health-blog/bid/63946/How-Does-the-Oral- Cavity-Affect-the-Entire-Body 9 Oral health: A window to your overall health: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/ adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475 10 Oral health challenges in pregnant women: Recommendations for dental care profession- als: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ article/pii/S2352003515000404 11 Good Oral Health and Diet: https://www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3272860/ 12 Genetic Predisposition for Type 2 Diabetes, but Not for Overweight/Obesity, Is Associated with a Restricted Adipogenesis: https://www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3075240/