Oral-Systemic Connection Long Beach, CA

Oral Health and Heart Disease

Though research on the relationship between the two is still ongoing, existing evidence makes it evident that oral health and heart disease are positively correlated. For instance, poor dental hygiene can increase a patient’s risk of developing a bacterial infection in the bloodstream, affecting the heart valves. As such, patients with artificial heart valves may particularly benefit from regular visits with a total health dentist.

Furthermore, patients have a two to three times higher risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or another serious cardiovascular event if they have periodontitis. Heart conditions such as atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia, and hypertension link to periodontal microorganisms. Additionally, there is a positive correlative relationship between tooth loss patterns and coronary artery disease.

The Effects of Chronic Oral Inflammation

The idea of the oral-systemic link is nothing new. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), it has been around since at least the late 19th century. However, it has not been until the last several decades that experts have found proven associations between oral health and systemic diseases (specifically cardiovascular diseases and diabetes). There are two possible reasons for this:

• Chronic inflammation in the oral cavity increases inflammatory markers’ levels in the bloodstream, negatively affecting the immune system.
• The oral cavity collects disease-causing bacteria that can enter the bloodstream.

As such, any failure to prevent or control periodontal diseases can increase the risk of adverse health outcomes. Invasive dental procedures can also increase the risk of stroke and myocardial infarctions. However, dental care may also have a positive impact on overall health: Treating periodontal diseases can effectively treat type 2 diabetes. Enhanced oral hygiene may prevent respiratory infections and death from pneumonia in elderly patients. In any case, dental care must be carried out with patients’ total health in mind.

Oral Health and Nutrition

Oral health and diet affect each other directly. What a patient eats will naturally influence the health of the tissues in the mouth, while the health of the mouth will affect the patient’s ability to eat. Additionally, excessive sugar consumption can increase the risk of developing cavities. Frequent consumption of acidic foods and beverages can also increase the risk of erosive tooth wear.

Thus, good oral health is dependent on proper nutrition and healthy eating habits. Patients should avoid natural and added sugars, along with processed starches and low pH-level acids. Eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet and limiting the consumption of between-meal snacks can benefit both a patient’s overall and oral health.

Systemic Conditions Linked to Oral Health

Oral health is linked to a variety of systemic health conditions aside from heart disease. Some of the most prominent include diabetes, pneumonia, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjorgen’s syndrome. As certain conditions may sometimes necessitate changes to oral health treatment, patients should be as forthcoming as possible about their medical history.

For example, diabetes and oral health have a bidirectional relationship — meaning treating one can treat the other. At the same time, diabetes reduces the body’s ability to resist infection, thus increasing the patient’s risk for gum disease. Research also suggests that poor oral hygiene increases elderly patients’ risk of developing pneumonia. Additionally, rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal disease are both linked to severe inflammation. Patients may become more susceptible to Sjogren’s syndrome as a result.