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.