The Direct Relationship Between Oral Health and General Wellness

We like to say our life's work is to help make better smiles, but we know we provide more value to our patients than that.  Some people think oral and overall health are separate concerns. To be blunt, they're wrong.  Your mouth is the body's primary entry point for the nutrition and oxygen needed for survival.  From generations of caring for patients, we know firsthand good oral health is a cornerstone of one's overall wellness. Unfortunately, separating the two, or worse, neglecting one's oral health, adversely impacts one's overall health in very tangible ways.  Here, we will explain this vital relationship.

Undeniably Linked
The mouth is both the primary access point into the body and an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. There are approximately six million bacteria present in a typical person's oral cavity. Most are harmless or even beneficial, or at least well-controlled by our natural immunity defenses as long as we practice good oral hygiene.  But if oral health is neglected, bacteria can multiply, enter the bloodstream, and spread to other parts of the body.

The Mayo Clinic reports that oral bacteria and inflammation associated with gum disease contributes to any number of unhealthy conditions:

• Endocarditis. The inner lining of the heart chambers or valves become infected, occurring when bacteria or germs from your mouth spread throughout your bloodstream and attach to specific places in your heart.
• Cardiovascular disease. While still being studied, research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries, and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections of gum disease.
• Pregnancy and birth complications. Periodontitis, or gum disease, has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
• Pneumonia. This and other respiratory conditions can be caused when harmful bacteria in the mouth settle into one's lungs and bronchial system.

Diabetes can be particularly problematic, and sometimes fatal if left untreated.  Diabetic patients are more susceptible to periodontal disease, making blood sugar management more complicated. Causal relationships and connections to other conditions are also being discovered, including rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's, and even dementia.

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An Ounce of Prevention...
Studies show regular preventive care can help stop the progression of oral and gum diseases, reducing the risks associated with heart disease, diabetes, and pregnancy. 

Over the years, we've learned the mouth tells us a lot about what's happening in the body.  According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 90% of all common diseases have oral symptoms.  For example, mucosal lesions or sores are common among people who have HIV/AIDS.  Diligent oral care may help with the early detection and treatment of HIV/AIDS and many other conditions.

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) reports the importance of oral hygiene extends beyond individual well-being. The problems caused by poor oral health affect society at large.  Common community impacts include:

• Oral conditions such as cavities can affect a child's ability to learn by causing reduced appetite, depression, and inability to focus, all contributing to an increased risk of poor attendance and learning performance.
• Statistically speaking, children in low-income families with limited access to preventive care will miss three times as many school days due to oral health issues.
• Consequences for adults can be dire.  Left untreated, escalating dental conditions often lead to painful and progressive dental disease, costly hospital stays, and missed days at work. 

We know regular preventive dental care is vital. Many oral disease conditions are preventable with early treatment, including 80% of children's cavities, which could be avoided with dental sealants, for example.  UIC also reports that for every dollar spent on preventive dental care, $8 to $50 can be saved in restorative and emergency treatments, and maybe more in various medical treatments.

Our intention here is not to scare you.  We want to be more than your trusted dental care professional.  We consider ourselves wellness partners with our patients, indeed a key member of their health care provider team.  Sure, helping make great smiles has inspired us and our work over the years, but we also understand the vital role we play in our patients' overall quality of life.