The connection between oral health and overall health
Last updated December 22, 2025
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There's often a misconception that oral and overall health are separate entities. They're not. The mouth is the primary access point for the nutrition and oxygen every living body needs to survive. Research supports the notion that good oral health is an essential part of your overall well-being. But unfortunately, sometimes people believe that dental care is somehow less important than general medical care. This article will help set the record straight by telling you about:
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Oral and overall health: why they're so closely related
The link between oral and overall well-being isn't symbolic — it's physical. The mouth is both the primary pathway into the body and an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. There are up to six million bacteria present in a typical person's mouth. Most are harmless, or at least well-controlled by the body's natural defenses — as long as good oral hygiene is practiced. But if that becomes a problem, bacteria can multiply, enter the bloodstream, and spread to other parts of the body.
According to the Mayo Clinic, studies suggest that oral bacteria and inflammation associated with gum disease may contribute to any number of serious conditions, including:1
Endocarditis: This is an infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers or valves, which can occur when bacteria or germs from your mouth spread through your bloodstream and attach to specific areas in your heart.
Cardiovascular disease: While the connection is still being studied, research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries, and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections of gum disease.
Pregnancy and birth complications: Periodontitis (a severe form of gum disease) has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
Pneumonia: This and other respiratory conditions can be caused when bacteria in your mouth are pulled into your lungs.
Diabetes can be particularly problematic, resulting in a vicious cycle that's difficult to control. People with diabetes are more susceptible to periodontal disease, making blood sugar management more complicated — and diabetes even worse. There are also links to other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia.2
Why preventive dental care is so important
Research shows that regular preventive care can help stem the progression of oral and gum diseases, helping to lessen the risks associated with heart disease, diabetes, and pregnancy.3 Good dental care can also help improve self-esteem because healthy teeth and gums are important to their feelings about themselves.
The mouth can also tell you a lot about what's happening in the body. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 90% of all common diseases have oral symptoms.4 Just one example: mucosal lesions or sores are common in people who have HIV/AIDS. Consistent preventive care may help with the early detection and treatment of HIV/AIDS, among many other conditions.
Good oral health can also impact our minds. In fact, a study by the CDC found that poor oral health (as measured by tooth loss) was associated with a higher prevalence of subjective cognitive decline (SCD). However, those who had visited a dentist in the past year had a lower prevalence of SCD.5
The problems caused by poor oral health can also extend beyond individual well-being and affect society at large. For example, a recent study by the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health estimated that US adults lose 243 million work or school hours per year due to oral health problems, and this loss in productivity costs the US about $45 billion per year.6
How dental insurance helps promote oral and general health
To realize the benefits of regular preventive care, people need to see a dental provider regularly. Yet despite the importance, too many Americans avoid going to the dentist. Like other kinds of medical care, dental procedures can be expensive — and that cost deters many from getting the care they need. Dental insurance helps eliminate that barrier. Research has found that:
Perceived expense is the #1 reason for skipping dental visits.7
Nearly 6 in 10 working Americans (58%) with dental benefits at work visit the dentist two or more times a year, compared with a quarter (25%) of those without any coverage.8
Research conducted by the NADP reinforces these findings: Americans with dental benefits are more likely to go to the dentist, take their children, receive restorative care, and experience greater overall well-being.
Unlike regular health care plans, dental plans tend to focus on regular preventive care. In fact, some dental plans only cover preventive checkups and basic procedures, such as filling a cavity. That still provides value because there's no reason to let costs get in the way of a checkup — paying for insurance even encourages many people to go to a dentist just to "get their money's worth." Of course, plans are also available to cover more involved procedures and provide even greater value. Consider:
The cost of a single dental crown
What exactly is a dental crown? It’s a cover or cap that your dentist puts over a tooth to restore its shape and function. Crowns are usually needed after a root canal or if a tooth has been broken or weakened, but can also be used for cosmetic issues. No matter the reason, it's a procedure that requires a lot of precise work over at least two visits to the dentist.
The dentist prepares the tooth by making an impression to use as a mold for the new crown. Each crown is custom-made for a specific tooth in a particular person's mouth.
The outer portion of the tooth is removed and shaped to fit and support the underside of the crown.
You get a temporary crown that lets you eat while the permanent crown is being made.
When the permanent crown is ready (typically a week or two later), the dentist inserts it into your mouth, makes any necessary adjustments, and then cements it into place.
All that work can cost between $500 and $2,500, and the prospect of a hefty bill may cause some people to delay treatment. A dental plan can help ensure the problem is caught and treated as soon as possible.
How to get dental coverage
If you or your spouse can get dental benefits through work, that's typically your best option. Employers can work with largest dental insurance companies to secure group rates — and sometimes, better benefits – for their employees. But if workplace dental benefits aren't offered, individual plans are also available from dental insurers.
If you're purchasing an individual plan, look at the size of the provider network. The more dentists they have, the more likely you are to find a provider you like. A company that offers a range of plans may also make it easier to compare coverage features and pricing.
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