Diseases Linked to Dental Health
Complete health has revolutionized the way dentists and physicians care for their patients, addressing the link between oral and systemic health. The mouth is the leading entryway for bacteria to make their way through the body systems' various tracts. Complete health dentists view their patients as not just a mouth but a whole body, working to achieve overall wellness.
Many oral and systemic diseases coincide and simultaneously affect one another. Understanding the oral-systemic link and preventative treatments can greatly enhance your health and well-being. Complete health dentistry is available at Coronado Dentistry & Pediatrics in Coronado and the surrounding area. Our staff can help you better understand the oral-systemic health connection. Call us at (619) 354-5136 to schedule a consultation appointment today.
Habitual vs. Genetic Reasons for Oral Conditions
A number of oral health conditions stem from habit and behavior. The leading causes of many oral concerns are smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor nutrition, and inadequate brushing, flossing, and rinsing. Genetics also plays a role in oral health conditions, ranging from hereditary traits to behaviors during pregnancy.
How to Prevent These Issues
Minor dental concerns, such as cavities and caries, often stem from genes or women who had untreated cavities or caries during pregnancy. However, severe oral conditions, such as gum disease or oral cancer, are often combinations of genes and behavior and worsen through improper hygienic habits. It is possible to diagnose the majority of oral conditions at a young age through preventative treatments that combat disease and decay at the root. The most crucial step in preventing oral and systemic health concerns is a good oral hygiene routine.
Healthy Living and Wellness Plans
A part of living a healthy, balanced life is diet, nutrition, exercise, and hygiene. A good oral hygiene routine entails proper brushing twice a day, flossing and rinsing daily, consistent six-month dental checkups and cleanings, replacing toothbrushes every three months, and avoiding sugary foods and beverages.
A wellness plan is a program designed to improve health and fitness, usually offered by employers and insurance companies. A wellness plan encompasses all health concerns (mental, physical, and emotional) for full-body wellness. They incorporate oral health, general health, and mental health concerns into a systemic chain that combats conditions simultaneously.
“A part of living a healthy, balanced life is diet, nutrition, exercise, and hygiene.”
Heart Conditions
Heart Disease
Poor oral health increases the risk of bacteria and infection entering the bloodstream, particularly affecting patients with artificial heart valves. The Mayo Clinic found that "heart disease, clogged arteries, and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause." Periodontal disease, a severe form of gum disease, is associated with an increased risk of developing a heart condition.
Endocarditis
Endocarditis is an infection in the inner lining of the heart chambers caused by bacteria in the bloodstream. Bacteria, fungi, infections, and viruses attach to certain parts of the heart and clog the heart chambers or valves (endocardium). Going without treatment can lead to various health complications and fatal risks.
“Gum disease, and its severe form periodontal disease, is associated with an increased risk of developing a heart condition.”
The Gut and Immune Systems
Gut Health
The gastrointestinal system is primarily affected by oral health despite having a greater bacterial density than the oral cavity. The Journal of Oral Microbiology study concluded that "severe diseases and genetic susceptibility of the host may promote ectopic colonization of oral bacteria." The intestinal tract is a leading pathway for microbes and bacteria to enter the gut and many other body systems. Good oral hygiene, periodontal therapy, prebiotics, and probiotics may reduce oral bacteria in gastrointestinal disorders.
Immunodeficiencies
Immunodeficiencies refer to over three-hundred diseases that affect the body’s defense or immune systems, such as HIV/AIDS and Down syndrome. Many of these diseases are primarily genetic, but malnutrition and poor oral hygiene play a major role. The National Institutes of Health found that "bacterial plaque related periodontal diseases seem particularly sensitive to primary deficiencies in the innate immune system." Since an immunodeficient patient’s body defenses are weak, the immune system has difficulty fighting infections and bacteria that enter through the mouth.
“Many of these diseases are primarily genetic, but malnutrition and poor oral hygiene play a major role.”
Effects During Pregnancy
Premature Birth
As bacteria enter the body through the oral cavity, various tracts lead to the womb and affect the fetus. According to the Matern Child Health Journal, "Untreated dental disease can lead to infection and inflammation, which have been implicated as significant contributors to preterm birth." In essence, the fetus does attain an inflammatory response to maternal oral infection.
Low Birth Weight
Women who have periodontal disease have also been linked to higher rates of premature birth and low birth weight. Good oral hygiene and care before and during pregnancy have shown a significantly lower number of low birth weight babies. In an article on preventative medicine, researchers found that pregnant women who brushed their teeth thoroughly thirteen or more times a week had normal birth weight outcomes and preterm birth (37 completed weeks of gestation).
“Good oral hygiene and care before and during pregnancy have shown a significantly lower number of low birth weight babies.”
Treatments for Those Suffering
Prevention
A basic understanding of the oral-systemic connection is integral in addressing health conditions and their effects on the body. A well-balanced, healthy lifestyle consists of a diet low in sugar and high in fruits and vegetables, cutting out all forms of tobacco, reducing alcohol intake, and brushing teeth twice daily with an optimal amount of fluoride (1000 to 1500 ppm). Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that protects the tooth's enamel and is crucial for maintaining good oral hygiene.
Treatments
Minor treatments, such as cavities and caries, require minimally-invasive treatments that remove the infection or decay and are covered with a filling, crown, or sealant. More invasive procedures, such as flap surgery, bone grafting, extractions, and implants, are performed for gum disease, oral cancers, flap disease, or other severe conditions. The earlier a condition is diagnosed, the more effective and successful the treatment is.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diseases Linked to Dental Health
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Dental Terminology
Decay
Tooth decay is when the enamel of the tooth begins to decay and cause erosion from plaque and tartar on the teeth.
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
Dentition
Dentition refers to the way the teeth are arranged in the mouth.
Endocarditis
Endocarditis is an infection in the inner lining of the heart chambers caused by bacteria in the bloodstream.
Functional Dentistry
Functional dentistry involves a strong focus on identifying the root cause of oral health issues and not just treating the symptoms.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the inflammation of gum tissue that results from plaque, other infections in the mouth and poor oral hygiene.
Heart Disease
Heart disease includes a wide range of cardiovascular issues such as diseased vessels, structural problems, and blood clots.
Inflammation
Inflammation is the redness, swelling, and pain that is a part of the body’s natural response to protect itself from infection, toxins, or injury.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is a serious inflammation of the gingival tissues and the periodontal membrane of the teeth that causes pain and helps form deeper gingival sulcus.
Preventive Dentistry
Preventive dentistry is the dentistry that focuses on maintaining oral health in order to prevent the spread of plaque, the formation of tartar and infections in the mouth.