Janay Gilchrist and Natasha Swart at Curaprox South Africa
The relationship between oral health and a person’s overall health is often overlooked. People tend to have siloed approaches to what health means for them and what it is supposed to look like. Take for example periodontal disease, which is a chronic disease that affects the gums, bone, and other supporting tissues just around teeth. Yet many dental professionals agree that oral diseases, which cause inflammation in the mouth, can also be linked to early warning signs of other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases like diabetes or even cancer.

“When people look at ways to boost their health thoughts often move towards aspects such as increasing physical activity, consuming more vegetables and prioritising sleep. Unfortunately, managing the health of gums and teeth often doesn’t receive the same level of attention or priority, yet is fundamental to overall health.
The sobering reality is that research has indicated that oral health in Africa is a low priority, with around 44% of the population suffering from oral diseases. South Africa is known to be facing an oral health crisis, where, according to the World Health Organisation, millions suffer from tooth loss, oral cancer, and tooth decay.
So how can we prioritise oral health? What needs to be prioritised at each stage – from childhood to old age? Let’s look at a 360-degree view of a human being’s oral lifespan:
Infancy and Toddlers
This is where the foundation of our oral health journey begins. Statistically dental caries is still the number one reason for children being admitted to hospital. Baby bottle tooth decay or nursing caries is a significant oral health issue due to improper feeding habits and poor oral hygiene practices that occur too often at this stage. However, is important to note that, dental caries is preventable and as parents we need to lead the way to ensure we create great oral habits and routines for our little ones. Parents should make brushing fun and enjoyable and from infancy be cleaning the infant’s gums with a soft, clean cloth. This will get infants used to the idea of brushing later in life and create healthy habits for life. Good early oral care ensures proper jaw, palate and tongue development. Visiting your dentist as early as before the infant’s first birthday is advisable.

Toddler and Adolescence
Good oral care habits will ensure healthy milk teeth which pave the way for healthy permanent teeth. The impact of poor oral care is far reaching and can negatively affect speech, the ability to concentrate and learn, nutrition, and self-esteem. Prioritising good oral health means a healthy body as tooth decay is preventable. Parents should complete brushing once the child has initially brushed with an appropriate toothbrush and toothpaste, until the child is able to write his/her name. Again, brush time can be made fun for your child, and at this stage, consider free downloads or reward charts that will encourage them to get it right. Remember, brushing morning and evening once all food and drinks have been consumed is vital for great oral health. It’s also important for parents to limit their children’s intake of starchy and sugary foods and drinks should also be examined, while of course prioritising regular dental check-ups.
Adulthood
In this stage of life, many adults find themselves starting to experience multiple oral health-related issues, from cavities and tooth loss to gum disease, or even issues like oral cancer. Adopting healthy habits is therefore crucial, everything from good nutrition, and maintaining a diet high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains while limiting sugar and decreasing salt, trans-fats and processed foods. Of course, avoiding smoking is very important as this is a key contributor to increasing the risk of gum disease and oral cancer. Certainly, at this stage in life, brushing your teeth twice a day together with regular dental appointments and professional cleanings are essential.
Elderly or Senior
As people age, they experience a variety of health issues, often based on how they cared for their health (and their body) when they were younger. In fact, the elderly are at higher risk of developing extensive tooth decay, gum diseases, and opportunistic infections of the oral tissues, such as oral thrush. Many elderly individuals experience dry mouth due to factors such as medication side effects, reduced salivary gland function, or certain medical conditions. Saliva helps to keep the mouth clean by washing away food particles and inhibiting the growth of yeast and bacteria. Reduced saliva production can create an environment conducive to oral thrush and increase caries and oral discomfort.
Oral care should then be a higher priority at this life stage. Those with dentures also need to follow strict instructions on how to care for them and dental visits should be prioritised as dentists can provide instructions tailored to each case.
While at each life stage, people should prioritise oral health care far more, what is important throughout is setting a good daily routine and sticking to it, as preventive dental care is often less expensive than treating oral health problems that arise due to neglect. More so, this will improve the quality of your overall health and well-being.
Regardless of age, the key to a lifelong healthy oral health lifespan is consistent care, regular dental visits, and a proactive approach to prevention.