The Connection

 between 

ORAL HEALTH &

FULL BODY

 HEALTH

We offer professional cleanings because a person can die from not having their teeth professional cleaned. 

 Well, we have all known the importance of a healthy mouth for many years. Brushing, flossing and rinsing have been drilled into us as the way to prevent cavities and gum disease. Recently, scientists have found that meticulous home care is much more important than we knew before.

 A tremendous amount of research is being conducted around the world into the connection between an unhealthy mouth and other diseases. The findings frequently reveal that mouth diseases elevate the risk for a number of serious conditions such as heart attack, stroke, premature or low birth weight babies, and complications of diabetes and respiratory conditions.

 Inflammation is the body’s response to many things including bacteria, viruses, injury, and infection. Chronic inflammation in particular, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus and gum disease, may elevate the risk for those serious medical conditions.

The most common chronic infection in this country is gum disease!

 The same bacteria that cause gum disease are found in the fatty plaques lining the blood vessels of stroke victims. The body’s inflammatory response also triggers the production of certain proteins that inflame blood vessels, resulting in the formation of clots that can lead to heart attacks.

 The good news is that thorough home care and a healthful diet will oftentimes prevent gum disease. If you have gum disease, treatment can often bring it under control and potentially reduce the risk factors for all the serious conditions we have mentioned.

At our office we are committed to keeping pace with medical and dental research to improve the level of care that we provide for our patients.

Heart Disease 

Several theories exist to explain the link between periodontal disease and heart disease. One theory is that the bacteria found in the mouth can affect the heart when they enter the blood stream, attaching to fatty plaques in the heart’s blood vessels and contributing to clot formation. Coronary artery disease is characterized by a thickening of the walls of the heart’s blood vessles due to the buildup of fatty proteins. Blood clots can obstruct normal blood flow, restricting the amount of nutrients and oxygen required for the heart to function properly. This may lead to heart attacks. Another possibility is that the inflammation caused by periodontal disease increases plaque build up, which may contribute to swelling of the arteries. Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease.

Respiratory Disease

Bacterial respiratory infections are thought to be acquired through inhaling fine droplets from the mouth and throat into the lungs. These droplets contain germs that can breed and multiply within the lungs to cause damage. Recent research suggests that bacteria found in the throat, as well as bacteria found in the mouth, can be drawn into the lower respiratory tract. This can cause infections or worsen existing lung conditions. People with respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, typically suffer from reduced protective systems, making it difficult to eliminate bacteria from the lungs.

Scientists have found that bacterias that grow in the oral cavity can be inhaled into the lung to cause respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, especially in people with periodontal disease. This discovery leads researchers to believe that these respiratory bacteria can travel from the oral cavity into the lungs to cause infection.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) cause persistent obstruction of the airways. The main cause of this disease is thought to be long-term smoking. Chemicals from smoke or air pollution irritate the airways to cause obstruction. Further damage to the tissue and working function of the lungs can be prevented, but already damaged tissue cannot be restored - untreated or undetected COPD can result in irreversible damage. Scientists believe that through the inhalation process, bacteria cam cause frequent bouts of infection in patients with COPD. Studies are now in progress to learn to what extent oral hygiene and periodontal disease may be associated with more frequents bouts of respiratory disease in COPD patients.

Diabetes

People with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than people without diabetes, probably because diabetics are more susceptible to contracting infections. In fact, periodontal disease is often considered the sixth complication of diabetes. Those people who don't have their diabetes under control are especially at risk.

A study in the Journal of Periodontology found that poorly controlled type 2 diabetic patients are more likely to develop periodontal disease than well-controlled diabetics are.

Research has emerged that suggests that the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes goes both ways - periodontal disease may make it more difficult for people who have diabetes to control their blood sugar.

Severe periodontal disease can increase blood sugar, contributing to increased periods of time when the body functions with a high blood sugar. This puts diabetics at increased risk for diabetic complications. Thus, diabetics who have periodontal disease should be treated to eliminate the periodontal infection.

Pregnancy

For a long time we've known that risk factors such as smoking, alcohol use, and drug use contribute to mothers having babies that are born prematurely at a low birth weight.

Now evidence is mounting that suggests a new risk factor – periodontal disease. Pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small.

More research is needed to confirm how periodontal disease may affect pregnancy outcomes. It appears that periodontal disease triggers increased levels of biological fluids that induce labor. Furthermore, data suggests that women whose periodontal condition worsens during pregnancy have an even higher risk of having a premature baby.

All infections are cause for concern among pregnant women because they pose a risk to the health of the baby. The Academy recommends that women considering pregnancy have a periodontal evaluation.