ZOE Science & Nutrition

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More than 50 systemic health conditions — including Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and heart disease — are associated with oral disease.

The link between systemic and oral conditions is always microbial, inflammatory, or both. So, how can we look after our gums to improve our health?

In today’s episode, Jonathan and Prof. Alp Kantarci pose the question: How does the health of your oral cavity shape your general health?

Alp is a professor and oral health researcher, dental implant surgeon, and faculty member at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. He has published more than 85 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has presented more than 170 talks and posters at dental and medical congresses.

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Timecodes:

01:35 - Quickfire questions

04:11 - What is oral health?

08:35 - How is our oral health connected to the health of the rest of our body?

11:01 - Oral microbiome

18:48 - Why does bad oral health affect the rest of the body?

22:47 - How much does the state of our oral health contribute to dementia?

25:48 - The link between oral health and diabetes

28:31 - The link between oral health and cardiovascular diseases

32:41 - What are the key steps to look after our oral health?

35:36 - Alp’s view on mouthwash