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Did you know that oral health affects the rest of the body? According to the US Office of Prevention and Health Promotion, a growing body of evidence links poor oral health to chronic diseases including diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Whether we like it or not, bacteria are present in every human body. Most of the bacteria are harmless, but poor oral hygiene can lead to tooth decay, periodontal disease, and periodontitis.
Molly Day, D.D.S
“We’ve really started talking about oral health and systemic interactions in the last 20 years,” says Molly Day, DS, dental officer at Heartland Community Health Center. “More research needs to be done, but we know that if you don’t take good care of your oral health, it can lead to other problems.”
Periodontal disease, sometimes called gum disease, is the result of infection and inflammation of the gums and bone that support and support the teeth. In the early stages, called gingivitis, your gums may become red, swollen, and bleed.
“If you don’t brush your teeth for a few days, plaque builds up and causes inflammation. Sometimes just improving hygiene can make this go away on its own,” explained Day.
Do you have questions about your oral health, physical health, or the relationship between the two? Contact your primary care provider today.
A more serious condition is periodontitis, an inflammation of the bone caused by bacteria. Your gums can pull away from your teeth, bone loss can occur, and your teeth can loosen or fall out. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), periodontal disease and tooth decay are two of the biggest threats to dental health.
“You’re going to have deep pockets where bacteria can grow unchecked because your brush can’t reach there,” Day said. “Watch for bleeding, swollen or tender gums, persistent bad breath, receding gums and loose or separated teeth. If any of these occur, it’s time to visit your dentist for a deep cleaning.
The American Dental Association (ADA) states that certain diseases can increase your risk of developing periodontal disease. These include arthritis, diabetes, emphysema, heart disease, high blood pressure, hepatitis C, obesity and prior stroke. Tobacco use also increases risk. If you experience any of these conditions, it’s important to visit both your primary care provider and your dentist regularly.
The relationship between poor oral health and systemic diseases
Oral health is linked to cardiovascular disease, so dental health is very important in cardiovascular care. According to Darcy Conaway, MD, a cardiologist at Lawrence Cardiovascular Specialists, poor oral health increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Darcy Conaway, MD
“People with periodontal disease have a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes. One theory is that bacteria from the mouth gets into the bloodstream and gets into the plaques that build up in your arteries. This makes those plaques more unstable and promotes acute cardiovascular disease,” she says.
Patients undergoing heart valve surgery should be especially aware. Endocarditis – an infection of the heart valve with bacteria, often spread through the mouth – is of particular concern.
“Major dental issues need to be addressed as much as possible prior to surgery. This will reduce the potential for contamination of the newly implanted valves,” Conaway said.
Diabetes enters the frame
Bad breath can be a sign of something more serious. If your breath is sweet, fruity, or smells like acetone (nail polish remover), you need to see your primary care provider right away. You may have a serious, life-threatening condition, says Mark Oretel, M.D., an endocrinologist at Lawrence Endocrinology.
Mark Oretel, MD;
“Diabetic ketoacidosis can cause insufficient insulin in the body to allow blood sugar to enter your cells to be used for energy.” This causes acid build-up in the body, which can damage many important parts of the body,” he explained. “This can happen in patients with type 1 diabetes, but it can also happen in patients with type 2 diabetes, especially if they need insulin to control their glucose levels.”
People with diabetes also have a harder time fighting off infections. Think of periodontal disease as an infection, which makes it difficult to maintain and control blood sugar.
Oretel recommends that patients keep their A1C values below 7 and that most postprandial blood sugars are below 180. This helps keep your body healthy and immune to infection.
“When blood sugar levels are high, our body’s infection-fighting cells work harder. This can cause cavities and cavities to take longer to heal or cause periodontal disease to become more prevalent,” he said.
What can you do to maintain good oral health?
Good oral health is an important part of your overall health, so what can you do to maintain it? Brushing your teeth daily is an important first step. Day said cavities are caused by bacteria taking sugar and turning it into acid. Then he will post the enamel in your teeth and fix it.
“You want to reduce the bacteria in your mouth. Brush every day and never skip brushing before you go to bed. Saliva is a buffer to keep the pH level in your mouth neutral, but when you sleep, your saliva decreases. If you have plaque there and the pH in your mouth is low, you will develop cavities.” “I tell my patients, ‘Brush at night to protect your teeth, brush in the morning to protect your friends,'” she says.
And how important is massage? Day smiled and shared a simple way to explain the importance of making mistakes in addition to brushing.
“Put it between your teeth and smell that thread. It smells terrible. “That’s how you know your brush isn’t going as far as you think,” she explains.
It is also important to be careful about the foods you put into your body. Avoiding juices, sodas, cookies, crackers, fruit snacks, and Cheez-Its is important because they are high in sugar.
“It’s not just what you have, it’s how much time you have. If you are looking for a snack, choose fruits and vegetables. An apple with peanut butter is a great choice,” Day said. “Drinking water is good. The water from the tap is very good because it contains fluoride.
Another important step is to make sure you visit your dentist regularly for cleanings. While a good rule of thumb is to check in twice a year, check with your provider to determine your optimal schedule. It is important for young children to visit the dentist. According to Day, cavities are the number one chronic disease for children.
“The sooner we can get your child started with a dentist, the better. Panda Pediatrics has a dental hygienist on staff, so when any teeth are showing, we can see them. We talk to parents about how to brush their teeth, brush their gums and give nutritional advice,” she says. “Prevention is key.”
Do you have questions about your oral health, physical health, or the relationship between the two? Contact your primary care provider today.
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