Having a healthy smile means more than just a pretty accessory. A healthy smile directly reflects the health of the rest of the body. The mouth contains a flourishing population of bacteria, and contains blood vessels, and nerves that inherently connect with the immune and cardiovascular systems.
This article outlines how oral health conditions can resonate throughout the body, as well as what actions everyday people and dental professionals can take to keep them aware of their oral health throughout. Dental and oral health teams are often the first to notice systemic signs and symptoms from unusual oral sores to teeth showing historical wear that hints nighttime breathing issues.
The Mouth-Body Connection
The progressive viewpoint from dentists and physicians is the mouth is the mirror of total body wellness. Harmful oral flora and the chronic inflammatory state of gum disease can enter the bloodstream and place the immune system in a constant low-grade alarm state. That low-grade alarm state is then linked to a higher risk for diabetes outcomes, an increase in respiratory disease, and complications during pregnancy.
Check https://www.cdc.gov/oral-health/about/gum-periodontal-disease.html to learn more.
In this way, good oral health behaviors can promote good oral-systemic health. Good oral health behaviors and practices will lay the groundwork for durable dental restorations, confident smiles, and successful outcomes of cosmetic dentistry, as both gingiva and bone health will have a great impact on aesthetics. A comprehensive family dentist can collaborate with families to routinely provide cleaning, restorative care, and functional bite assessment so the chewing system and airway are harmonious.
Can Gum Disease Affect the Heart?
Studies have demonstrated that those with moderate to severe gum disease tend to present with increased levels of inflammatory markers that are associated with potential atherosclerosis risk and stroke. Oral pathogens have been shown to access the bloodstream through ulcerated gum tissues, promoting the development or destabilization of atherosclerotic plaque in the arteries. Treatment of periodontitis serves to reduce the burden of bacteria and inflammation, potentially decreasing strain on the heart and blood vessels.
Individuals with chronic bleeding gums or deep pockets around teeth may benefit from Milwaukee gum disease treatment options and coordinated care with their physician; this may be a more effective way forward with better preventative dental care.
Signs Your Oral Health Needs Attention
Minor changes in the mouth can be indicators of more significant issues in other areas. One can often delay complex treatment and protect overall health by prioritizing the small things early. The following red flags warrant changing a regular dental appointment to a priority.
- Bleeding, swollen or tender gums that last longer than a few days.
- Chronic bad breath or an unpleasant taste that is not resolved with brushing.
- Jaw pain, clicking or headaches upon waking that may benefit from TMJ therapy.
- New or worsening tooth sensitivity with cold food or sweet drinks.
- Receding gums, loose teeth, or gaps that appear to widen over time.
Why Inflammation Matters
Inflammation (see here for more) acts as the alarms of the body. When gum tissue remains inflamed week after week, the alarms never go silent. The immune system releases cytokines and other byproducts that may elevate blood sugars, excessively burden blood vessels and impair effective healing. This undoubtedly accounts for the difficulty we have controlling diabetes when we have unmanaged periodontal disease, and the elevated cardiovascular implication that also comes with it.
Reducing inflammation in the oral cavity – maintaining routine professional dental cleaning, improving at-home care, and targeting therapies – removes some of both the visible and invisible burden of inflammation, providing the body space to recover, rest and better perform. Even cosmetic dental work and implant dentistry are seen to last longer when the gums are calm and free of infection.
Lifestyle Choices for Better Oral Health
Small habits are what ultimately create the beneficial balance of good and negative bacteria in the mouth. Having a consistent routine, making sensible food choices and keeping on the schedule for professional visits creates a resilient environment in which the gums and teeth benefit. You want those behavioral and health-promoting actions to be easy enough to repeat.
- Brush teeth twice daily utilizing fluoride toothpaste and floss each evening.
- Utilize interdental brushes or water flossers and/or floss to clean areas around bridges and implants.
- Eat foods high in fiber, while not sipping drinks high in sugar too often.
- Stay hydrated, while also remembering that habits that promote saliva production also neutralize acids in the mouth.
- Commit to a scheduled examination and cleaning consistent with recommendations to further support a preventative dental experience.
An individual does better in their ability to eat, sleep and socialize when their mouth is not inflamed, even the rest of the body benefits. Thoughtful home care, timely professional care, and communicating with your dental health provider truly completes the cycle of supportive, truly holistic functional care.
