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It has been reported that 3 out of every 4 Americans have signs of
mild periodontal disease or gingivitis. Almost 30% show signs of
the more severe disease, chronic periodontitis. We now have reason
to believe that the health of your teeth and gums may have a
significant effect on the overall health of your body. Recent
scientific literature suggests a strong relationship between oral
disease and other systemic diseases and medical conditions.
According to numerous studies, there are three ways
oral disease may affect your overall health. First, bacteria from
your gums enter the saliva. From the saliva it may adhere to water
droplets within the air you inhale each time you breathe. These
bacteria laden water droplets may be aspirated into the lungs,
potentially causing pulmonary infection and pneumonia. This can be
very troublesome for the elderly or those who may suffer from
generalized weakened immunity, associated with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD).
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Inflammatory mediators found in inflamed gums
called “cytokines” can also enter your
saliva. As they
too are aspirated into the lungs, they have pro-inflammatory
effects on the lower airway, which can contribute to further
pulmonary complications.
Secondly, bacteria associated with periodontal disease can enter
the body’s circulatory system through the gums (periodontium)
around teeth and travel to all parts of the body. As the oral
bacteria travels, it may cause secondary infections or it may
contribute to the disease process in other tissues and organ
systems. Finally, inflammation associated with periodontal
disease may stimulate a second systemic inflammatory response
within the body and contribute to or complicate other disease
entities that may have an inflammatory origin such as,
cardiovascular disease, diabetes, orthopedic implant failure and
kidney disease. Whatever the route oral bacterial may influence,
it is in every patient’s best interest to maintain their mouth in
an optimum state of health.
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The goal of many studies being conducted at universities and
research centers throughout the world is to understand just how
oral bacteria affect overall health. As these studies are
published, health care professionals will begin to better
understand the underlying biological mechanisms that are
responsible for this oral systemic connection. |
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A new paradigm between dentistry and medicine is now developing
regarding patient care. As the oral systemic connection is more
clearly understood, dentists who are trained in diagnosing oral
and periodontal disease will play a greater role in the overall
health of their patients. Many times, the first signs of
unnatural systemic health conditions reveal themselves in changes
within the oral cavity. Medical histories should be carefully
reviewed when “at risk” patients are identified. A comprehensive
Periodontal Risk Evaluation should be performed and results should
be sent to the patient’s treating physician(s). |
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Physicians will play a more active role in the oral systemic
connection. They will screen at risk patients for the common signs
of periodontal disease, which include bleeding gums, swollen gums,
pus, shifting teeth, chronic bad breath and family history of
periodontal disease. When appropriate, they will refer them to
dentists and Periodontists who are uniquely qualified to evaluate
and treat their patient’s oral conditions. This new era of
interdisciplinary dental/medical cooperation will undoubtedly
result in improved patient health, as well as an improvement in
overall patient longevity. |
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