Diseases Linked to Dental Health
Diseases Linked to Dental Health: Understanding the Connection
At Cedar Grove Dental Group in Cedar Grove, we offer complete health dentistry that revolutionizes patient care by addressing the connection between oral and systemic health. Our dentists view patients as whole bodies, not just mouths, working towards overall wellness. Understanding the link between oral and systemic diseases can greatly enhance your health. Contact us at (973) 857-0567 to schedule a consultation appointment and learn more about the oral-systemic health connection.
Oral Conditions: Habitual vs. Genetic Factors
Many oral health conditions are a result of habits and behaviors. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor nutrition, and inadequate oral hygiene practices such as brushing, flossing, and rinsing are the main culprits. Genetics also play a role in oral health issues, including hereditary traits and behaviors during pregnancy.
How to Prevent These Issues
Many dental issues, like cavities and caries, can be linked to genetics or untreated cavities during pregnancy. On the other hand, serious oral problems, such as gum disease and oral cancer, are often a result of both genetics and poor hygiene habits. Early diagnosis of most oral conditions is possible through preventive treatments that target the root causes of disease and decay. The key to preventing oral and overall health issues is maintaining a strong oral hygiene routine.
Plans for Healthy Living and Wellness
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle involves focusing on diet, nutrition, exercise, and hygiene. Good oral hygiene practices include brushing twice a day, daily flossing and rinsing, regular dental checkups every six months, changing toothbrushes every three months, and avoiding sugary foods and drinks.
A wellness plan is a program aimed at enhancing overall health and fitness, often provided by employers and insurance companies. These plans address all aspects of health (mental, physical, and emotional) to promote holistic well-being. They address oral health, general health, and mental health issues in a coordinated approach to tackle multiple conditions at once.
" Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when something obstructs part or all of the upper airway during sleep, causing the diaphragm and chest muscles to exert extra effort in pulling air into the lungs."
Heart Conditions
Heart Disease
Having poor oral health can raise the chances of bacteria and infection getting into the bloodstream, especially for individuals with artificial heart valves. According to the Mayo Clinic, there is a potential connection between heart disease, blocked arteries, and stroke with the inflammation and infections caused by oral bacteria. Additionally, periodontal disease, a serious type of gum disease, is linked to a higher risk of developing heart conditions.
Endocarditis
Endocarditis is a condition where the inner lining of the heart chambers becomes infected due to bacteria in the bloodstream. Bacteria, fungi, infections, and viruses can attach to specific areas of the heart, causing blockages in the heart chambers or valves (endocardium). If left untreated, this condition can result in serious health complications and even life-threatening risks.
“Gum disease, and its severe form periodontal disease, is associated with an increased risk of developing a heart condition.”
The Gut and Immune Systems
Gut Health
The Journal of Oral Microbiology study found that oral health has a significant impact on the gastrointestinal system, even though the gut has a higher bacterial density than the mouth. The study concluded that severe diseases and genetic factors can lead to oral bacteria colonizing other parts of the body. Maintaining good oral hygiene, receiving periodontal therapy, and consuming prebiotics and probiotics can help reduce the presence of oral bacteria in gastrointestinal disorders.
Immunodeficiencies
There are over three-hundred diseases that fall under the category of immunodeficiencies, impacting the body's ability to defend itself against infections. Examples include HIV/AIDS and Down syndrome. While many of these diseases are genetic in nature, factors such as malnutrition and poor oral hygiene also play a significant role. Research from the National Institutes of Health has shown that periodontal diseases related to bacterial plaque are especially affected by deficiencies in the innate immune system. Due to weakened defenses, immunodeficient patients struggle to combat infections and bacteria that enter through the mouth.
“Many of these diseases are primarily genetic, but malnutrition and poor oral hygiene play a major role.”
Effects During Pregnancy
Premature Birth
Bacteria entering the body through the mouth can travel to the womb and impact the fetus. The Matern Child Health Journal states that untreated dental issues can cause infection and inflammation, increasing the risk of preterm birth. Essentially, the fetus can experience an inflammatory response to maternal oral infection.
Low Birth Weight
Research has shown a connection between periodontal disease in women and increased rates of premature birth and low birth weight. Maintaining good oral hygiene before and during pregnancy has been linked to a lower incidence of low birth weight babies. A study on preventative medicine revealed that pregnant women who brushed their teeth at least thirteen times a week had better outcomes in terms of birth weight and gestational age.
“Good oral hygiene and care before and during pregnancy have shown a significantly lower number of low birth weight babies.”
Treatments for Those Suffering
Prevention
Having a good grasp of the connection between oral health and overall well-being is essential for managing health conditions and their impact on the body. A balanced and healthy lifestyle includes a diet that is low in sugar and rich in fruits and vegetables, avoiding tobacco in all forms, limiting alcohol consumption, and brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste (1000 to 1500 ppm). Fluoride, a natural mineral, plays a key role in protecting tooth enamel and is vital for maintaining optimal oral hygiene.
Treatments
Less severe dental issues like cavities and caries can be treated with minimally-invasive procedures that remove the infection or decay and are then filled, crowned, or sealed. More serious conditions, such as gum disease, oral cancers, flap disease, or severe infections, may require more invasive treatments like flap surgery, bone grafting, extractions, or implants. Early diagnosis is key to successful treatment outcomes.
