California is a beautiful place to live. However, being a citizen here comes at a cost: poor air quality. California’s air quality is ranked one of the most polluted in the United States. 90% of the residents here are exposed to poor air quality throughout the year. This impacts not just your lungs but also your oral health.
The pollutants found in Californian air have been linked with various oral health issues. This includes tooth enamel erosion, increased sensitivity, and a higher risk of gum diseases like periodontitis. This is why it has become more important than ever to visit a dentist in Walnut Creek. A dentist will be able to recommend preventative measures before problems arise.
Understanding air pollution in California
There are three main pollutants that California struggles with particulate matter, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide.
Particulate matter or PM are very tiny particles that can reach inside your lungs through your mouth or nose and create health issues like asthma and respiratory infections.
Ozone forms when sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides from vehicles and industries. High ozone levels can cause breathing problems and worse lung infections. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) mainly comes from cars and industrial activities. This can irritate your lungs.
The sources of these pollutants, as you might have already guessed, primarily include cars, trucks, and industries. Wildfires are also to blame, where fine particles and toxic gasses mix with each other and worsen air quality.
Emissions from power plants and manufacturing factories are one of the major sources of air pollutants in urban areas.
How air quality affects oral health
Everyone knows that bad air quality causes lung problems and breathing issues. However, airborne pollutants can have a negative impact on your oral health as well.
Particulate matter (PM) and ozone can irritate the oral mucosa, which causes inflammation and leads to gum disease. Harmful particles can settle on the surfaces in your mouth and increase the risks of gingival inflammation. Symptoms may include bleeding gums, sensitivity, and advanced gum disease if not treated.
Connection to oral cancer
There has been research regarding air pollutants and their connection to oral cancers. The results show evidence that inhaling particulate matter (PM) increases your risk of developing oral cancer. When you inhale these tiny particles, they reach your airways and get trapped. From there, they can travel to your mouth and have cancer-causing effects.
Research has shown that the buildup of this matter can trigger cancerous changes in your oral tissues. Therefore, it is worthwhile to take steps to protect yourself.
Impact on immunity
Not only do air pollutants cause breathing problems and increase the risks of oral cancer, but they also lower your body’s immune function. This means that your body will no longer be able to fight off infections effectively, including those that occur inside the mouth.
Particulate matter can accumulate in immune cells in the lymph nodes near the lungs. Then, when you are exposed to high levels of air pollution, you become more vulnerable to respiratory infections. This can lead to conditions like gingivitis and other oral infections.
Protective measures to take to protect oral health
California’s government has made efforts to improve air quality through initiatives such as the Community Health Protection Program under Assembly Bill 617. However, you must take steps on your own as well.
Make sure you wear a mask before stepping out of the house and follow a proper oral hygiene routine. Do not forget to drink an adequate amount of water and stay hydrated throughout the day. Being hydrated helps with saliva production.
Finally, schedule a visit with your dentist once every six months or one year for regular check-ups. This will help you stay informed about your oral health.
Don’t ruin your oral health!
The levels of pollution are bad in most urban areas these days. This makes it all the more important to focus on your oral health. Visit your dentist in California today!
