Oral inflammation can impact systemic health
A Mount Pleasant dentist talks about the connection between periodontal health and your overall health.
Oral Health, Inflammation and Systemic Disease
It is important to realize “that your mouth is related to your entire body; it’s all connected. It’s not just your teeth. Maintaining your oral health is a key foundation for maintaining your overall health,” said Mount Pleasant dentist Amanda Komisarow of Pleasant Smiles Cosmetic & Family Dentistry. She added that “Inflammation is a key driving factor in both oral health concerns and systemic health concerns.”
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by excess plaque and bacterial growth in the mouth. It initially presents as gingivitis, which can be treated and reversed with standard dental care, including plaque removal, regular dental cleanings and proper oral hygiene practices. Left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. At this point, the disease process and accompanying inflammation are no longer limited to the mouth. “A lot of [chronic] health conditions are multifactorial and have to do with inflammation, and, similarly, [most] dental disease processes also stem from inflammation,” Dr. Komisarow explained.
In fact, periodontitis is linked to several systemic illnesses, including hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Oral health and cardiovascular disease
It’s important for your dentist to know if you are dealing with pre-existing heart disease prior to regular cleanings or other procedures. Your dentist will collaborate with your other health care providers to ensure you receive dental care in the safest way possible. “When we perform dental work in treating periodontal disease, we stir up bacteria in the mouth which can get into the bloodstream and travel to other areas in the body,” said Dr. Komisarow, and “That means for some patients, antibiotics before and/or after dental procedures can help prevent complications with artificial heart valves.”
Dr. Komisarow added: “This can apply to patients who have or plan to have an artificial joint replacement as well and highlights why we take that full health history.” Periodontal disease and systemic inflammation are also closely linked to increased risk of hypertension and other cardiovascular disease.
Oral health and diabetes
People with diabetes are more likely to develop periodontal disease due to elevated glucose levels that encourage bacteria to grow in the mouth, systemic inflammation and poor circulation that contributes to delayed healing. Conversely, having periodontitis can increase your risk of developing diabetes because the inflammation associated with periodontitis can make insulin resistance worse and lead to higher blood sugar levels. As such, the two conditions can co-exist in a cyclical manner, one constantly worsening the other. Effectively managing both periodontal health and diabetes is vitally important for your overall health. And your dentist needs to know about your diabetes diagnosis, which might slow healing following dental procedures.
Periodontal disease and the brain
Alzheimer’s dementia and periodontal disease share the same underlying root causes: systemic inflammation and bacteria. In general, the existence of periodontal disease appears to significantly increase your risk of cognitive decline, most likely because of the role systemic inflammation plays in your cognitive well-being.
The presence of gum disease, both gingivitis and periodontitis, also is linked to a higher risk of stroke. Strokes associated with gum disease are most often caused by hardening of the large vessels in the brain, which subsequently can become blocked.
The dentist’s role in preventive health care
Routine dental cleanings allow your provider to screen for periodontal disease and other health concerns. Many patients “may not have a primary care physician, so we may check their blood pressure and ask questions about heart disease, diabetes and recent lab work when we assess for and find periodontal disease,” explained Dr. Komisarow. “Every time we see a patient, we perform an oral cancer screening and more. We look at your face, neck and the skin that is exposed there and then as far back into the oral cavity as we can see on exam.” By doing this, Dr. Komisarow said she has identified suspicious skin lesions that were ultimately found to be skin cancer.
Dental professionals assess lifestyle choices such as tobacco and smokeless tobacco use and provide nonjudgmental guidance on how to eliminate these habits. Smoking and vaping both can predispose you to oral health issues and increase systemic inflammation, therefore increasing your risk for periodontal disease and systemic illness.
The next time you think about putting off your regular dental checkup, remember you are taking care of more than just your teeth. Your dental health and your overall well-being are linked to one another and deserve your time and attention. Dr. Komisarow believes “It’s our job as professionals to support and educate and never to judge or criticize,” so if you experience anxiety about going to the dentist, find the right practice and be honest with your dental team about your feelings. Establishing good oral hygiene habits, like brushing and flossing correctly, can really pay off in the long run for your overall health.
Additional Resources:
https://newsroom.heart.org/news/gum-disease-inflammation-hardened-arteries-may-be-linked-to-stroke-risk
By Blair Webb Grass, RN, MSN
