More at stake than just fresh breath
By Terri Yablonsky Stat
Your mouth is home to billions of bacteria that not only pose a risk for tooth decay and gum disease but can seriously affect your overall health. If you don’t take care of your teeth, bad breath and less-than-pearly whites may be the least of your problems.
“The mouth is an extension of the body,” says Dr. Samuel Weisz, a dentist in practice at Libertyville Dental Associates. “If you have problems in the mouth, they may lead to other health effects. A dental abscess in the mouth can, by extension, affect other areas in the body. Waiting until a problem spirals out of control can make you more susceptible to other infections.”
Your oral health reflects how well you care for your teeth and gums every day. Beyond the obvious daily brushing and flossing, it’s important to see a dentist regularly for professional cleanings and to catch problems such as gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, early before they lead to more serious conditions.
Heart Disease
Recent studies show that the oral bacteria found in gum disease have been linked to heart disease and stroke. In fact, people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to have heart disease, according to the American Academy of Periodontology.
“We know that untreated gum disease does raise C-reactive protein levels (a marker for inflammation in the body), which is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke,” says Dr. Margaret Mitchell of Mitchell Dental Spa in Chicago. Oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream and raise C-reactive protein levels. “We haven’t been able to establish cause and effect,” Mitchell says, but research continues to search for the link between gum and cardiovascular disease. What is known, however, is that managing gum disease can reduce the risk of future cardiovascular problems.
Diabetes
“Studies show that people with diabetes are twice as likely to have periodontal disease,” says Weisz. At the same time, research suggests that periodontal disease may have the potential to affect blood glucose levels and can lead to diabetes. So the risk runs both ways.
People with diabetes have less well-controlled blood sugars, making them more susceptible to frequent and severe infections of the gums. They also have a decreased ability to fight bacteria that invade the gums. That’s why excellent dental hygiene is especially important.
Other Health Effects
With the economic downturn, many people have skipped regular dental visits. And that matters. “You’d be surprised by the amount of dental infection seen in the emergency room,” says Mitchell. One of her new patients had avoided dental care for over a decade. What started as a gum infection became so severe [that] he spent three days in the hospital with a life-threatening soft-tissue infection, she says.
People who have been intubated for surgery have come down with pneumonia, too. “In uncontrolled gum disease, the tube used during intubation picks up bacteria from the oral cavity and introduces it into the lungs,” says Mitchell. “This could have been prevented.”
Poor oral hygiene during pregnancy has also been linked to premature birth. A study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that women who were pregnant and had periodontal disease were seven times more likely to give birth to premature, low birth weight babies. “Researchers are studying whether it’s due to the enzymes and toxins in the blood stream from the periodontal infection, the inflammatory response of the mother’s body to the disease or an overall tendency for lack of preventative care,” says Mitchell.
What to Do?
“We try to educate patients about the importance of homecare, including flossing and brushing but more so flossing,” says Weisz. “If we all started getting more diligent with homecare, it would make a huge difference in [lessening] our risk for gum disease and other more serious health conditions.”
Consistent dental exams and professional cleanings are imperative. Normally healthy people need two checkups a year, but some people need more frequent professional cleanings, says Weisz.
Mitchell recommends using a Waterpik and electric toothbrush to clean the teeth. She recommends brushing three times a day and flossing once or twice a day.
“Dental disease is the most common disease in mankind,” says Mitchell. “It’s still the most treatable and preventable disease.” [email_link]
Published in Chicago Health Winter/Spring 2013
