Systemic Links

Dental disease is not just an oral condition. Problems like gum disease are actually the leading cause of chronic inflammation in the body. Perhaps one of the reasons that this condition in particular is so prevalent is because it is largely silent. Millions of people miss the subtle signs that disease is lurking in their mouth and are living with an increased risk of health concerns.

What happens in the mouth does not stay in the mouth. The underlying cause of dental disease is bacteria, protozoa, virus, and fungus of which near a thousand types exist in the oral cavity alone. Bacteria (and the other bugs) are living organisms that travel from the mouth to the body in a number of ways. When gums are irritated and inflamed, they allow passage through the blood. Bacteria may also be ingested and passed into the digestive tract or inhaled to the lungs. Just as they do in the mouth, bacteria can cause inflammation and infection elsewhere, including organs such as the heart, joints, and lungs.

Link to cardiovascular disease

Both heart disease and gum disease are inflammatory conditions. Research is ongoing on the connection between the two conditions, though studies have found that individuals with active gum disease show increased levels of C-reactive protein in the blood. Elevated levels of this protein also indicate an increased risk for heart attack due to the inflammation behind the rise. University studies in the United States have shown a decrease in C-reactive protein as a result of treating active gun infections. Recent studies are also finding the exact bacterial DNA from your mouth in the blood clot causing the heart attack. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25412607)

People with gum disease are twice as likely to die from heart disease and three times as likely to die from stroke.

Link to diabetes

Individuals with diabetes are at a higher risk for gum disease simply because they are more susceptible to infection. Research has indicated, however, that the existence of gum disease also complicates matters for the diabetic patient. Advanced oral disease leads to increased amounts of glucose in the blood, making diabetes more difficult to manage. If you have diabetes and bleeding gums, your risk of dying increases by 400-700%

Link to fertility

In a study performed at the University of Western Australia in Perth, it was found that conception took an average of two months longer for women with active gum disease than for those in good oral health. The director of this study, Professor Roger Hart, reported that gum disease could affect conception to the same degree as obesity. Other studies have shown that women with gum disease are at an increased risk for pre-term delivery. Gum disease can also lead to low birth weight. Dr. Nathan Pfister has been providing holistic dental care to patients of all ages for many years. We use a phase-contrast microscope to check for and eliminate periodontal infection linked to these many health problems. His education and background make him an excellent resource for information and direct dental care. Speak with a friendly member of our staff to schedule your visit at our Dothan dental practice.

Oral Systemic References AAOSH