A lecture held today, Sunday, revealed the association between oral and dental diseases and stroke, heart diseases and diabetes. Also oral and dental diseases may result in the unsuitability for organ transplantation. The lecture, as part of the Health Education Week, was meant to promote oral and dental health, in cooperation with the Vice Deanship for Student Affairs, represented by the Health Club, and in partnership with the College of Dentistry, Umm Al-Qura University.

The event included two lectures, one of which was entitled, "Your Teeth Are There to Stay for Life", presented by Dr. Tahani Al-Jamal, and a second lecture entitled, "Oral and Dental Health", presented by Dr. Walaa Babji.

On the importance of these lectures for students of Umm Al-Qura University, Dr. Tahani Al-Jamal, a consultant and specialist in restorative dentistry, confirmed that most of her patients are university students. This makes it important to raise awareness among female students in particular, and society at large, about the risk of tooth decay, which has increased significantly; explaining that official statistics contain positive indicators, through the rise of the rate of prevention and educational programs to nearly 100%.

Dr. Tahani Al-Jamal, a Saudi board fellow, stressed that dental caries, gum diseases, and periodontitis are now widespread. She added, "One of the main causes of caries is the excessive intake of foods with a high citrus or sugar content, in addition to energy drinks and sodas. There are also certain damages caused by smoking and the use of tobacco derivatives."

She went on to say, "Oral and dental diseases affect other parts in the body, given that the mouth is the entrance of the body; periodontitis, gingivitis, and oral and dental diseases all make the patient six times more likely to develop diabetes than a normal person. In other cases, it may result in a stroke. Therefore, taking care of oral and dental health greatly ensures the health of the rest of the body. "

She continued her talk, saying, "Oral and dental diseases affect blood circulation through the possibility of penetration of the infection caused by oral and dental diseases of the capillaries in the gums, which sometimes leads to heart diseases. These diseases also have negative side effects on pregnant women, especially if the decay is an infectious bacteria."

Dr. Tahani Al-Jamal expressed surprise at the indifference of many to visit dentists every 6 months, which forces them to later visit dental clinics when there is strong pain, especially for problems associated with teeth nerves. She stressed that the problems of the mouth and teeth do not appear immediately; it takes a long time for problems to accumulate enough to cause pain, appearing clearly in the suffering of the affected person.

Moreover, she explained that the decision to conduct kidney transplants is based on the results of oral and dental safety checks. Depending on the result of the examination, the decision on whether or not to perform the operation is made.