When one thinks of how to promote a healthy body, top of mind includes eating properly, getting enough exercise and rest, no smoking, and limited alcohol consumption. While these are certainly good measures to provide adequate systemic health, there is still one thing which is often overlooked: a healthy mouth.
The relationship between a healthy oral cavity and a healthy body has been increasingly studied in the last number of years. There is enough anecdotal evidence to suggest a very strong relationship between the two. Both dentists and physicians must increase their future collaboration to provide better overall health for their patients.
The oral cavity is the home to hundreds of bacteria, both good and bad depending on one’s overall oral health. The bloodstream is the highway that links the oral cavity to the rest of the body; we cannot separate the two. Simply put, if one has poor oral health, the bacteria associated with this condition can be transported to the rest of the body, leading to an increased risk of several systemic conditions. These include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, pulmonary disease, pregnancy complications, kidney disease, certain cancers and possibly Alzheimer’s disease. One of the leading oral culprits is the presence of periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is the primary oral environment detrimentally affecting the oral cavity. Periodontal diseases are a group of chronic immune-inflammatory diseases caused by the bacteria in the biofilm, affecting the tooth-supporting structures. Periodontal disease triggers the body’s immune response which leads to damage of the supporting structures. It is the leading cause of tooth loss. Tooth loss caused by periodontal disease can lead to poor nutritional intake by people which is then directly related to poor overall health.
There are several studies indicating that chronic inflammation, periodontal disease (infection) and vascular injury are possible precursors to cardiovascular disease rising from poor oral health. It has been shown that a great majority of patients with cardiovascular diseases have poor oral health. A coincidence or direct link?
Diabetes is a condition affecting millions of people. Patients with uncontrolled diabetes have at least three times a greater risk of developing periodontitis. However, people with controlled diabetes show no greater risk. Again, a direct link or coincidence? Infection causes hyperglycemia in diabetics and as was stated, periodontitis is an infection.
Therefore, diabetics with periodontitis will have a much harder time controlling their blood sugar levels. The oral cavity can sometimes expose the initial signs of diabetes by showing inflamed gingiva (gum) tissue which are resistant to treatment and good homecare.
Pregnancy is an exciting time for women but creates a great deal of stress to their bodies. It is estimated that only 50 percent of women who are pregnant will visit a dentist during their pregnancies. Furthermore, those who do visit a dentist are more reluctant to be treated by the dentist during this time. Substandard oral health can increase the incidence of preeclampsia, low birth weight, still births and spontaneous abortions. Both dentists and physicians must do a better job of communicating to help provide better healthcare for these patients.
The oral cavity and the rest of the body are one entity; they cannot be separated. What affects one will ultimately affect the other. Neglecting oral health will, in one way or another, determine the overall health of the body. This has been the thought for many years, but in more recent times, studies have shown this to be more likely to happen.
Dental schools are changing their curriculums to include what they term “The Oral Systemic Connection.” The medical community has also jumped on board. Dentists are getting more and more inquiries from physicians and surgeons regarding oral health prior to surgeries. They know that one’s oral health is a window into overall health, which can relate to how well a patient will heal from surgery. Hopefully, this communication will continue, as it will result in better treatment and overall health success for our mutual patients.
