Crystal Hann
health WISE
Crystal Han is a freelance writer and artist. She graduated from
San José State University with a BFA in Animation/Illustration and
is an aspiring novelist, currently working on two books.
Fighting Tooth Decay Keeps the Doctor Away
H
ave you ever heard the saying,
“Everything is connected”? You
may not think that applies to your
dental health, but the truth is that a healthy
mouth is critical to our overall health and
well-being.
When dentists look into our mouths,
they can often spot signs of other health
issues just by looking at our teeth and gums.
For instance, pale or bleeding gums can
be a marker for certain blood disorders,
and changes in teeth appearance, such as
tooth erosion, can be a sign of anorexia or
bulimia. The most significant indicator of
other diseases and conditions, however,
is periodontitis, more widely known as
gum disease.
The human mouth contains more bacteria
than any other part of our bodies. It even has
more than what you’d find on a public toilet
seat! When we don’t take proper care of our
teeth and gums, it allows all of those bacteria
to reach levels that can lead to oral infec-
tions like tooth decay and gum disease. Gum
disease is the sixth most prevalent chronic
condition in the world, affecting 745 million
people, and it is no joke. Many doctors and
dentists recognize gum disease as a risk factor
for several conditions, the most prevalent of
which are discussed below.
Type 2 Diabetes
A study conducted on 9,296 non-diabetic
participants found that the people who had
higher levels of gum disease were twice as
likely to develop type 2 diabetes than the
participants who had little to no gum disease.
The exact reason for this is still unclear,
but researchers think that the infections in
the mouth cause low-grade inflammation
throughout the body, especially in the
pancreas. Doctors and dentists have noticed
a reciprocal effect between gum disease
and diabetes. If the patient’s dental health
improves, then their diabetes also improves,
and vice versa.
78
Pancreatic Cancer Pregnancy Complications
Because gum disease wreaks so much havoc
on the pancreas, it also increases the risk of
pancreatic cancer. Scientists still aren’t sure
why the pancreas is so heavily affected by
gum disease, but they suspect that it may
have to do with increased levels of carcino-
genic compounds that an infected mouth
produces. While they may not know the
exact mechanism yet, there is a clear-cut link
between gum disease and pancreatic troubles. Gum disease can negatively impact the health
of an unborn child. Many studies link gum
disease to pre-term or low birth weight in
babies. Babies that are born early or weigh
less than 5.5 pounds have more risks of
health problems during the first few days of
their lives, or they might have delayed motor
or social development later on.
Cardiovascular Disease
Poor dental health and cardiovascular
risks also go hand in hand. The cardiology
community now recognizes gum disease as a
direct risk factor for coronary arterial disease,
peripheral artery disease, and stroke. Chewing
with an infected mouth pushes small amounts
of bacteria into the bloodstream. These bits
of bacteria lodge themselves inside the blood
vessels, causing dangerous blockages. When
looking at the blood vessels of patients with
cardiovascular disease, scientists have found
fragments of periodontal bacteria, which
strengthens this theory. Some research has
also found that the bacteria in gum disease is
attracted to platelets, causing small clots to
form and making patients more susceptible to
stroke. Taking an aggressive approach to treat-
ing gum disease has been shown to reduce the
incidence of cardiovascular disease.
Sources:
Woodham, Chai, “Mind Your Mouth:
How Oral Health Affects Overall
Health”, U.S. News, https://health.
usnews.com/health-news/health-
wellness/articles/2014/12/22/
mind-your-mouth-how-oral-health-affects-
overall-health
Lowenstein, Kate, “Dental Health and
Overall Health”, EveryDay Health,
https://www.everydayhealth.com/
dental-health/101.aspx
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
april/may 2019
Alzheimer’s
An exact causal link between Alzheimer’s and
gum disease hasn’t been discovered yet, but
research has found that when bacteria from
gum disease gets loose in the bloodstream, it
can travel to the brain and cause brain tissue
deterioration that is very similar to what is
observed in Alzheimer’s patients.
The early warning signs of gum disease
are often silent. Be on the lookout for
symptoms such as receding gums or longer
appearing teeth, which may increase
sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods.
Swollen or red gums, or gums that are
prone to bleeding when brushed, is another
indicator. Chewing might also be painful,
or there might be a persisting lousy taste in
your mouth or bad breath that won’t go away.
The increased frequency of mouth sores is
another indicator for the beginning stages of
gum disease.
If you devote as much time and care to
your oral hygiene as you would your entire
body, you are less likely to develop any of
these symptoms. Be sure to keep a consistent
oral care regimen by brushing twice a day
and flossing every day. Also, make sure to get
regular dental visits and cleanings. As good
as you might be about brushing and flossing,
some bacteria still lingers and creates plaque
buildup that only dentists and hygienists can
catch.
Your mouth, and your body will thank
you!
gmhtoday.com