Oral Systemic Link

A Healthy mouth, A Healthy Body
The facts are… Your mouth “talks” to your body… and your body “talks” to your mouth!

  • Gum disease increases the risk of head & neck cancer. -AADSH
  • Cavities are caused by a germ that spreads while kissing & sharing food. -American Academy for Oral Systemic Health
  • Bacteria in your mouth travel to other parts of your body in your bloodstream. -American Academy for Oral Systemic Health
  • Diabetes & bleeding gums increases your risk of premature death by 400-700 percent. -American Academy for Oral Systemic Health
  • Tooth loss & gum disease increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. -Mayo Clinic
  • Gum disease increases pancreatic & kidney cancer risk by 62% -Harvard
  • 93% of people with gum disease are at risk for diabetes. -AAOSH
  • Pregnant women with gum disease have only a 1 in 7 chance of giving birth to a healthy child of normal size. -AMOSH
  • People with gum disease are twice as likely to die from heart disease & three times as likely to die from stroke. -Mayo Clinic
  • Research has found an association between gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis. -American Academy of Family Physicians
  • The Surgeon General reports that at least 80% of American adults have gum disease. -AAOSH
  • Bacteria that live in your mouth can cause: heart disease, high blood pressure & stroke.

Your mouth is a window into the overall health of your body.

Some of the first signs of a vitamin deficiency of general infection appear in your mouth.  There are 20 billion bacteria in your mouth and they reproduce every 5 hours.  If you go 24 hours without brushing, those 20 billion become 100 billion!  Some of these bacteria are linked to tooth decay (cavities) and periodontal (gum) disease.  Researchers suspect the bacteria linked to periodontal disease play a role in some systemic diseases or conditions.  These can range from heart attack, stroke, diabetes, cancer or a number of other autoimmune diseases.

The Oral-Systemic Facts Are…

What Happens In Your Mouth…Does NOT Stay in Your Mouth!

  • At least 80% of American adults have gum inflammation/ disease.
  • Gum disease is linked with blood vessel disease, heart attacks and strokes.
  • Gum disease and tooth loss increases risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • If you have diabetes and bleeding gums, your risk of premature death increases by 400 to 700 percent.
  • Increased trigeminal nerve traffic from TMJ and bad dental bite can create central sensitization and migraines.
  • Poor ventilation during sleep triggers nighttime clenching & bracing to maintain the airway.
  • Bad bites and poor oral-facial development Increases risk for sleep apnea.
  • Cavities are caused by acid-loving bacteria spread during kissing and sharing food.
  • Gum disease increases risk for head & neck cancer, and pancreatic and kidney cancer.
  • Oral bacteria are being found in brain tissue, heart vessels, joints, and many other parts of your body.

-THE AMERICAN ACALE FOR ORAL SYSTEMIC HEALTH

Pregnancy

If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, pay particular attention to your dental health. The variable hormone levels during pregnancy can exaggerate some dental problems.  Women with periodontal disease who become pregnant are more likely to develop gestational diabetes, of which 50% of those women will have Type II diabetes within 20 years.  Prevention is key.  Maintain optimal dental health to promote overall wellness.

What You Can Do

Prevention is an important step in maintaining overall health.  Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day.  Clean between your teeth with floss or another type of device once a day.  Choose dental products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.  Eat a balanced diet and limit snacks.  Schedule regular dental checkups.

If you notice any of these signs, see your dental professional:

  • Gums which bleed
  • Red, swollen or tender gums
  • Receding gums
  • Bad breath
  • Loose teeth
  • A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
  • A change in the fit of any removable device you wear

The following are links to more information about oral systemic link:

https://www.colgateprofessional.com/patient-education/articles/oral-health-and-your-heart

 

https://www.colgateprofessional.com/patient-education/articles/periodontal-disease-and-cardiovascular-disease

https://www.colgateprofessional.com/patient-education/articles/periodontal-disease-and-diabetes

https://www.colgateprofessional.com/patient-education/articles/periodontal-disease-and-obesity