Oral health plays a vital role in overall well-being, mental health, and quality of life. This World Oral Health Day 2025—celebrated annually on March 20—highlights the strong connection between oral health and mental well-being, encouraging everyone to make oral care a priority.
Research shows that poor oral health can contribute to stress, anxiety, and even depression, while a healthy mouth boosts self-confidence, supports social interactions, and enhances overall happiness. Additionally, gum disease and chronic oral infections have been linked to systemic inflammation, which can negatively impact brain health and cognitive function.
Beyond mental well-being, poor oral hygiene is also linked to serious health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and metabolic disorders, even in otherwise healthy individuals.
Poor Oral Health Affects Children Too
The impact of poor oral health is particularly evident in children. According to the Oral Health Foundation, new NHS England data reveals that over 30,000 children underwent hospital tooth extractions due to tooth decay last year. While this marks a slight 2% decline, decay remains the leading cause of hospital admissions for five- to nine-year-olds. Children in deprived areas are 3.5 times more likely to suffer from decay than those in affluent areas. The financial burden on the NHS now nears £75 million annually.
Dr. Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, warns:
“30,000 cases remain far too high. Decay is preventable, yet it continues to harm children’s health, education, and well-being.”
Periodontal Disease: A Silent Epidemic
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammation of the gums that, over time, damages the tissue connecting teeth to the jawbone. This process can cause the collagen fibers holding the teeth in place to break down, eventually leading to tooth loss.
Early signs of periodontal disease include:
✔️ Red, swollen gums
✔️ Bleeding gums
✔️ Persistent bad breath
Statistics suggest that people with a healthy mouth live longer. Every missing tooth reduces life expectancy, says Tommi Pätilä, a cardiac surgeon at HUS New Children's Hospital and one of the developers of the antibacterial Lumoral method.
Lumoral: Supporting Oral Health
Lumoral is a medical device designed to improve oral hygiene and treat gum disease. It is particularly effective for patients with periodontitis and those needing implant maintenance.
According to Dr. Pätilä, more than 10% of the Finnish population suffers from severe periodontitis, meaning that the inflamed area around their teeth can be as large as the size of a palm. Even in milder cases, an inflamed gum surface can contribute to low-grade inflammation throughout the body.
“As periodontitis is linked to many systemic diseases, early detection and treatment are essential for overall health,” Dr. Pätilä emphasizes.
While brushing and flossing remain the foundation of good oral hygiene, studies show that even regular brushing leaves up to 50% of plaque on the tooth surface. Lumoral treatment is designed to target residual plaque, reducing the risk of oral diseases and supporting better oral health.
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