Important Oral Systemic Health Connections It is common knowledge that there is a strong
relationship between one's dental and overall
health: a phenomenon called the oral systemic
health connection. Though studies are still
ongoing, scientists have known for a long time
that the mouth is linked to the rest of the body.
The mouth is the entry point for many bacteria,
and cleaning your mouth by brushing, flossing, and
rinsing is important to prevent bacteria from
entering your body.
Importance of the oral systemic health connection
Dental professionals generally want their patients
to understand the significance of oral health in
systemic disorders, including diabetes and heart
disease, as well as oral health problems during
pregnancy. Patients also need to know what to do
to maintain the health of their teeth, gums, and
body. Below are vital oral systemic health
connections that you should be aware of:
Diabetes and oral health
Patients with diabetes are more prone to tooth
decay, periodontal disease, dry mouth, and
infection, among other oral health issues. The
link between type I/type II diabetes and
periodontal disease has been dubbed an additional
complication because they are so connected.
Plaque-forming bacteria in the oral cavity cause
periodontal disease, an inflammation of the
tissues supporting the teeth. It is frequently
associated with how effectively a person's
diabetes is controlled in people with diabetes. If
a diabetic patient notices any of the symptoms of
periodontal disease, such as red, swollen, or sore
gums; bleeding and receding gums; chronic bad
breath; loose or shaky teeth; the presence of pus
in periodontal pockets; or changes in dental
alignment, they need to book a dental appointment
immediately.
Diabetic patients frequently have dry mouth, which
raises their risk of periodontal disease; they
will need to contact the dentist. They may suggest
chewing sugarless gum or mints, drinking enough
water, sucking on ice chips, or using artificial
saliva or mouthwash.
Cardiovascular disease
Periodontal disease has also been connected to
cardiovascular disease, stroke, bacterial
pneumonia, premature deliveries, and
low-birth-weight children. Multiple studies show
that people with periodontal disease are
approximately three times more likely to develop
heart disease. When oral bacteria reach the
bloodstream, they attach to fatty plaques in the
heart's arteries and aid in clot formation.
Pregnant women are more likely to have inflamed
gums, which can lead to periodontal disease if
left untreated due to increased hormone levels,
notably estrogen and progesterone. According to
five-year research performed at the University of
North Carolina, pregnant women with periodontal
disease are seven times more likely to have a
preterm, low-birth-weight baby.
General functions
Beyond the pain and suffering caused by oral
health issues, problems in the mouth can make it
difficult to talk, chew, or swallow, get the
nourishment the body requires to be healthy,
participate in everyday activities, and
communicate with people. Tooth decay and obesity
can also be caused by poor diet. Researchers from
the University of Buffalo studied 65 children aged
two to five treated for cavities in their baby
teeth in a previous study. Nearly a quarter of
them had a BMI of 30 or above, suggesting that
they were overweight or obese.
In conclusion
A clean mouth is important for a clean body. Even
if you brush your teeth every day at home,
frequent dental exams will help avoid further oral
issues that might cause illness. Contact a
biological dentist to learn more about your body's
oral systemic health connections and how they can
help keep your oral cavity healthy.
Request an appointment here:
https://www.wellbeingdentistry.com or call Well
Being Dentistry at (408) 244-0590 for an
appointment in our Santa Clara office.
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