Whole Body Health Archives - Emerginnova https://emerginnova.com/category/all/whole-body-health/ Tue, 05 Sep 2023 08:10:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.1 https://emerginnova.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/fav-100x100.png Whole Body Health Archives - Emerginnova https://emerginnova.com/category/all/whole-body-health/ 32 32 How Taking Care of Your Teeth Can Keep You Healthy https://emerginnova.com/how-taking-care-of-your-teeth-can-keep-you-healthy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-taking-care-of-your-teeth-can-keep-you-healthy https://emerginnova.com/how-taking-care-of-your-teeth-can-keep-you-healthy/#respond Wed, 30 Aug 2023 07:51:03 +0000 https://emerginnova.com/?p=113620 Keeping your teeth healthy is not just about having a nice smile. It's also important for your overall health. Recent studies have shown that there is a strong connection between the health of your teeth and the health of your whole body. In this blog, we'll explore how taking care of your teeth can affect different parts of your body, from your heart to your lungs.

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Introduction

The Connection Between Your Mouth and Your Body

Emerginnova: Your Dental Health Partner

Zeramex Zirconia Dental Implants: A New Way to Care for Your Teeth

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Why Oral Hygiene Is Crucial to Your Overall Health https://emerginnova.com/why-oral-hygiene-is-crucial-to-your-overall-health/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-oral-hygiene-is-crucial-to-your-overall-health https://emerginnova.com/why-oral-hygiene-is-crucial-to-your-overall-health/#respond Fri, 14 Jul 2023 10:43:52 +0000 https://emerginnova.com/?p=113352 Gum disease has been associated with a range of health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, dementia and more. Here’s what experts say you can do to manage the risk.

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A version of this article appears in print on April 11, 2023, Section D, Page 6 of the New York edition with the headline: Oral Hygiene Is Crucial to Health.
Read the full article and references here: www.nytimes.com/2023/04/06/well/oral-health-hygiene.html

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How Bad Oral Hygiene Can Lead to Oral Cancer https://emerginnova.com/how-bad-oral-hygiene-can-lead-to-oral-cancer/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-bad-oral-hygiene-can-lead-to-oral-cancer https://emerginnova.com/how-bad-oral-hygiene-can-lead-to-oral-cancer/#respond Fri, 16 Jun 2023 06:32:46 +0000 https://emerginnova.com/?p=113344 It’s been a while since you’ve been to your dentist for a check-up. Usually you’re good about taking care of your teeth. Lately with your kid’s busy schedules in school and sports, and your own demanding job, you’ve kind of slacked off about your own oral hygiene.

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Read the full article and references here:
kirklandteeth.com/general-dentistry/bad-oral-hygiene-oral-cancer

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The Surprising Connections Between Oral Health and Well Being https://emerginnova.com/the-surprising-connections-between-oral-health-and-well-being/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-surprising-connections-between-oral-health-and-well-being https://emerginnova.com/the-surprising-connections-between-oral-health-and-well-being/#respond Mon, 22 May 2023 05:22:32 +0000 https://emerginnova.com/?p=113337 In fact your oral health—the health of your teeth and gums—has a major impact on overall health, medical costs, and quality of life. “The significance of the mouth as part of our health is often overlooked and underappreciated,” says Dr. Caswell Evans, Associate Dean for Prevention and Public Health Sciences, UIC College of Dentistry. “Our vision of ourselves, how we are seen by others, and even our employment are influenced by our oral appearance,” says Evans, who has written extensively on the burdens that poor oral health can place on public health.

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Oral health is a leading health indicator

Healthy People 2020 identified oral health as one of the 10 leading health indicators, along with other indicators such as access to health, nutrition, cancer, HIV and heart disease. Good oral health not only enables you to functionally perform as a human being (i.e. speaking, smiling, smelling, eating), it is also important for communication, human relationships and financial prosperity. Poor dental health has serious consequences, including painful, disabling, and costly health conditions.

This is especially the case for those who have the biggest obstacles in getting access to dental care – rural and lower income households. According to the ADA’s Health Policy Institute surveys of the U.S. population, one in five low income adults say their mouth and teeth are in poor condition – and one in three of them say the condition of their mouth and teeth affects their ability to interview for a job.

Many of the determinants that impact our oral health, such as diet and hygiene are controllable with the right habits.  Tooth decay (cavities) is the most common chronic childhood disease, yet it is preventable through healthy diet choices and good hygiene habits. However, without these healthy choices and habits, plaque buildup eventually leads to cavities, gingivitis or severe gum disease that puts teeth and gums at risk – and even other parts of your body. 

The connection between Alzheimer’s and dental health

A growing body of research has identified a connection between oral health and chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes and other serious conditions affecting millions of people. Recent research at the UIC College of Dentistry is helping to unveil some of the mystery behind the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease to pave the way for new treatments and bridge the “gap” that has traditionally separated the medical and dental professions. The goal is to use these findings to lowering the risk of diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease and diabetes, especially as you age.

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that affects 1 in 10 adults over the age of 65. It leads to dementia, memory loss, and a steady decline in a person’s ability to function independently. The two major forms of AD are familial (early onset) AD which constitutes less than 5% of AD cases and sporadic (late onset) AD which constitutes over 95% of all AD. Early onset AD results primarily from mutation of genes that are involved in the formation of amyloid or senile plaques.  Sporadic AD has a relatively late onset (60-65 years of age) but its etiology and molecular mechanisms are largely unknown.

Dr. Keiko Watanabe is a Professor of Periodontics and researcher at the UIC College of Dentistry. Her research focuses on the connection between oral and systemic health, a research area that is critical in overall patient care.

In a recent study, Dr. Watanabe and colleague Dr. Vladimir Ilievski found that mice that were orally exposed to periodontal disease (gum disease) bacteria developed neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and senile plaque formation that were similar to AD in humans. Control animals did not show this pathology. Furthermore, they identified the presence of a periodontal pathogen/product within the neurons in the brains of experimental mice.

Another important finding is that the mice used in their experiments were young wild-type animals. Historically, transgenic mice were used to study AD since wild-type young mice are not thought to develop senile plaque. This suggests that chronic oral bacterial infection or the presence of bacteria/product in the brain may influence the development of senile plaque and hence chronic bacterial infection may be a risk factor for the Sporadic form of AD. 

The results were surprising even to Dr. Watanabe and serve as a breakthrough in our understanding of Alzheimer’s. “We did not expect that the periodontal pathogen would have this much influence on the brain, or that the effects would so thoroughly resemble Alzheimer’s Disease,” Watanabe said.

Dr. Watanabe’s research has established a clear animal model correlation between periodontitis and AD that serves as a basis to explore exciting new clinical research areas and therapeutic targets. The use of mice also presents clarity in the findings because animal models don’t have the confounding factors that can affect human studies, such as varying diets, obesity and exercise levels.

“These things are all controlled using the animal system…To me, it’s the clearest model system,” she explained.

Studying the brain to fight periodontitis

The effects of periodontitis are far reaching, and we have only touched the surface of our understanding.  Dr. Watanabe has also previously discovered that periodontitis can even affect the brain’s metabolism along with the liver and heart.

“We did a metabolomic analysis of mouse brain tissues, that shows a change in metabolism — the metabolites in the brain – that results from oral exposure to a periodontal pathogen. The metabolomic analysis shows there’s a decrease in glucose availability, which is significant since the brain needs glucose for energy.”

What this means for those suffering from Alzheimer’s remains to be seen until further research clarifies the connection between the illness and periodontitis in humans. However, other researchers have found periodontal pathogens in post-mortem human brains.

Links between periodontal (gum) disease and pre-diabetes

Dr. Watanabe has also linked exposure to periodontal bacteria and the development of pre-diabetes in mice.

Prediabetes is a pre-diagnosis of diabetes, and is an indication that you could develop type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes occurs when blood glucose level (blood sugar level) is higher than normal, but it is not high enough to be considered diabetes.

Periodontitis, or gum disease, also has potentially serious health ramifications. About half of all American adults 30 and older – nearly 65 million of them – suffer from periodontitis. While gum disease is common, it is also preventable.

Dr. Watanabe and her team examined how periodontitis affected pancreatic and liver cells in a way that could lead to prediabetes/diabetes. “The periodontal pathogen that we introduced into the mouth of the mice or a product from this pathogen influences the pancreatic alpha and the beta cells, and also the liver’s Kupffer cells,” Watanabe said. “And those two organs are very critical in the development of prediabetes/diabetes and maintaining health.”

Dr. Watanabe’s research team demonstrated that mice with prolonged exposure to periodontal bacteria also developed insulin resistance and glucose intolerance – major signs of prediabetes.  They have also shown that rats with a mutation that makes them prone to obesity develop diabetes and its onset was accelerated in the presence of periodontitis.

The changing landscape of dental care

Despite the scientific knowledge we now have, there remains a well-recognized “gap” between the medical and dental professions, and the delivery of care across them. The oral health workforce has historically been concentrated in private practice settings where dentists lead teams comprised of dental hygienists, assistants, lab technicians and office personnel. The majority of these practices continue to operate independently of most primary health practices and health systems.

Progress at the system level remains a challenge. Separate insurance systems, incompatible electronic health records, and a lack of education continue to be major obstacles in the coordination of care provide by dentists, physicians and other providers.

However, the landscape of dental care delivery is still changing. The private practice model is shifting to more integrated models, such as seen in dental service organizations (DSOs) and community based health centers (FQHCs). There are several community based initiatives in the US to expand access to dental care, especially among the most vulnerable. Some of the more notable programs include Give Kids a SmileMissions for Mercy, and school-based dental sealant programs. Many are making great strides in integrating oral health with primary care or providing dental services in everyday settings such as schools.

Interprofessional education (IPE)

Interprofessional education (IPE) programs are also helping to close the gap. IPE creates learning environments where students from different fields can interact and learn in ways that prepare them for the seamless teamwork of collaborative practice necessary for coordinated care delivery. It is this collaboration and coordination of care that is a hallmark of the future vision for patient care experiences. Coordinated care benefits providers and payers through operational efficiencies and cost savings. Patients appreciate the ease of navigating options to get the affordable care they need from the best providers.

At University of Illinois at Chicago for instance, the Interprofessional Education (IPE) & Collaborative Practice focuses on developing collaborative competence across the continuum of health profession education including pre-professional students, students in health professions programs and practicing professionals.

Recently, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) opened a school student chapter at UIC. This is an interprofessional student organization focused on developing the skills, competencies, teamwork and leadership of UIC health professions students to tackle the quality and safety issues that impact our patients, health professions, and healthcare systems.

And continuing research on the connections between oral and systemic diseases help to shed light on the importance of understanding the connections between oral health and well being. Results from Dr. Watanabe’s research suggest the importance of at-home dental care, regular check-ups, and heightened oral health awareness for everyone, especially those with a family history of potentially associated illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s and pre-diabetes / diabetes.

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Can Dental Hygiene Affect Your Fertility? https://emerginnova.com/can-dental-hygiene-affect-your-fertility/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=can-dental-hygiene-affect-your-fertility https://emerginnova.com/can-dental-hygiene-affect-your-fertility/#respond Thu, 13 Apr 2023 10:05:19 +0000 https://emerginnova.com/?p=113330 Good oral hygiene doesn’t only make you more kissable—it also may make you more fertile. According to emerging research, dental health may impact how long it takes a woman to conceive. In men, gum disease and tooth decay have been linked to poor semen and sperm health. The possible connection between dental health and fertility applies to both men and women.

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Good oral hygiene doesn’t only make you more kissable—it also may make you more fertile. According to emerging research, dental health may impact how long it takes a woman to conceive. In men, gum disease and tooth decay have been linked to poor semen and sperm health. The possible connection between dental health and fertility applies to both men and women.

During pregnancy, poor oral health is associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetespreeclampsiapreterm labor, and having low birth weight baby. Ensuring your teeth and gums are healthy isn’t only important for your fertility—it may also be important for your not-yet-conceived child.

How might dental hygiene impact fertility and a future pregnancy? And, most importantly, what should you be doing to make sure it doesn’t negatively affect it?

 

Periodontal Disease, Gingivitis, and Your Health 

Most of the research on fertility and dental health is focused on periodontal disease. Swollen, red, and tender gums are possible signs of periodontal disease. Your dental hygienist is looking for evidence of this when they probe your gums. This process involves taking a dental tool known as a periodontal probe—a thin, long metal pick with a blunted end and measurement indicators—and gently pressing the instrument into the pockets (or spaces) of tissue that exist between the gum and tooth.1

Deeper pocket measurements indicate possible periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is chronic inflammation of the gums, supporting tissues, and jawbone. Left untreated, tooth loss and irreversible jawbone deterioration can occur. Between 1 in 10 people experience severe periodontal disease.

You may also have heard of gingivitis. Over half of adults in the United States have gingivitis.2 Gingivitis is a milder form of gum disease, which involves inflammation of the gums but doesn’t lead to a bone loss like periodontal disease. However, gingivitis can progress to periodontal disease. Poor oral hygiene can cause gingivitis.

Periodontal disease is associated with a number of health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases, and stroke.2 Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis and men with erectile dysfunction are more likely to be diagnosed with periodontal disease than the general population. 

 

Dental Health and Male Fertility

Several studies have found that men with poor oral health—whether from excessive and untreated cavities or periodontal disease—are more likely to face male factor infertility, especially when compared to men with normal sperm health.3

Low sperm count, poor sperm motility (that’s how the sperm swim), abnormal sperm morphology (that’s the shape of sperm), and evidence of bacterial infection in the semen are associated with various dental and oral health problems. While erectile dysfunction isn’t a common sign of male infertility (most men with infertility have few to none visible symptoms), those who do experience erectile dysfunction are more likely to have gum disease.3

A handful of studies has found that the treatment of cavities and dental infections did result in improved semen health. However, this is an area that needs more research, and not all studies found a direct improvement after dental treatment.

 

What does poor oral health have to do with your sperm? There are a few theories.

First, cavities, tooth infections, and gum disease all involve high levels of bacterial growth in the mouth. (Bacteria grow inside cavities and are also responsible for gum disease.) Elevated levels of bacteria in the mouth may lead to increased levels of bacteria in other areas of the body.

Bacteriospermia is when a bacterial infection (or evidence of infection) is found in semen. In a semen analysis, an abnormally high white blood cell count would indicate possible bacteriospermia. Studies have found that poor oral health is associated with an increased risk of bacteriospermia.3 Some research has found that treating cavities and oral infection has lead to a reduction or elimination of bacteriospermia.

Secondly, when your body is fighting an infection (and tooth decay is an infection), your body’s immunological response may go into overdrive. The infection and immunological response may be concentrated in the mouth, but this can still result in increased inflammation throughout the body. This in turn may lead to the immune system attacking healthy, non-threaten cells—like developing sperm cells.

Thirdly, it’s possible that risk factors for poor oral health are also risk factors for infertility. For example, let’s consider smoking. Smokers are at an increased risk of developing periodontal disease and smoking may negatively impact infertility.

 

Two Extra Months to Conceive in Women With Periodontal Disease

The majority of the research on dental health and fertility has been done in men. However, scientists are beginning to look at how female fertility may be impacted by oral health.

In a study of 3,737 pregnant women in Australia, researchers examined whether periodontal disease was associated with more difficulty conceiving.4 Of the women surveyed, they only included those who had planned pregnancies. They also excluded women who conceived with fertility treatments. (Therefore, we can’t determine how periodontal disease would impact women with diagnosed infertility from this study.)

Women with periodontal disease took an average of 7.1 months to get pregnant. However, women without periodontal disease spent on average 5 months trying to get pregnant. Periodontal disease increased the time of conception by two months.

It’s important to point out that this statistically significant increase in time-to-conception only was found in non-Caucasian women. In Caucasian women, there was also an increase in time to conception, but it was not considered to be statistically significant.

Why might this be? Ethnicity is a known risk factor for periodontal disease, along with other genetic factors. It is possible that non-Caucasian women have immune systems that are more susceptible to periodontal disease, and are also more likely to deal with the related health consequences of gum disease.

 

Periodontal Disease and Reduced Fertility

This is an area that needs much more research before any conclusions can be made. Does periodontal disease cause other health problems? Or do the health problems cause the periodontal disease? Or is something else responsible for both? We just don’t know.

However, there are theories. One possible connection between poor oral health and female fertility is the immunological connection. (Similar to the theory for male fertility problems and periodontal disease.) Periodontal disease may cause the immune system to be overly reactive. Or, it may be that an overly-reactive immune system may increase the risk of developing periodontal disease.

Reproductive immunology studies the possible connection between the body’s immune system and how it reacts to embryo implantation and development. Women with over-reactive immune systems have been found to be at an increased risk of infertility, miscarriage, and embryo implantation failure during IVF treatment.5 Common causes of female infertility—specifically endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome—are also associated with an increased risk of periodontal disease.

According to a study of just over 4,000 women, those with self-reported endometriosis were 57% more likely to have gingivitis or periodontal disease when compared to women without endometriosis.6 Researchers theorize that immune dysregulation may be the connection.

In a small study, researchers found that women with PCOS were more likely to have gingivitis when compared to women without PCOS.7 What’s especially interesting about this study is they did not include women who were smokers, diabetics, or obese.

This indicated that something about PCOS itself­—and not related risk factors—causes in increased risk of gum disease.

 

What to Do to Improve Your Dental Health (and Maybe Your Fertility)

Whether infertility is a risk factor for periodontal disease or periodontal disease is a risk factor for infertility, it’s worth your time and energy to take care of your dental health. This is especially true given the research showing that treatment of cavities and gum disease may improve male fertility and pregnancy outcomes.

Your risk of developing periodontal disease depends on a variety of factors, including genetics, general health habits, the presence of other diseases, and oral hygiene. You don’t really have control over your genetics, but you do have control over your health habits and oral hygiene practices.

Here’s what you can do to reduce your risk of gum disease, improve your dental health, and (possibly) improve your fertility.

Get regular dental cleanings. When you’re already struggling to get to all your fertility testing and treatment appointments, it can be tempting to cancel or postpone your dental cleanings. Don’t do it.

Regular dental cleanings are key to maintaining healthy gums and oral health. Regular check-ups are also the only way to catch cavities before they become serious. By the time you’re experiencing pain, the tooth infection is well developed.

How often do you need to be at the dentist? At least once every six months, and more frequently (every three months) if you have periodontal disease.

Ask your dentist or dental hygienist for a comprehensive review of your gum health. Honestly, this is something your dental team should be doing already. However, some offices schedule appointments so close together that a comprehensive review of your dental health isn’t possible. Make sure your dental hygienist knows this is something you care about. 

Get those cavities fixed. It’s not enough to just get your teeth cleaned. If your dentist finds evidence of tooth decay, don’t delay in getting things taken care of.  

Brush your teeth twice a day. This may seem basic, but not everyone makes sure it happens. Every morning after you wake up and before you go to bed, give your teeth and gums a good brushing.

Floss! Regular flossing is vital to healthy gums. “You can brush every day, twice a day, and still have very inflamed gums and develop gingivitis or periodontal disease if you don’t floss,” explains Jason Olson, registered dental hygienist.

Flossing isn’t always enough, however. This is especially true for those who have already developed gum disease. You may benefit from using a water pick or interdental brushes. Talk to your dental hygienist about the best way for you to clean your teeth. Also, ask for them to demonstrate proper flossing technique. Most people don’t floss effectively.  

Rinse with water after you eat. You don’t need to brush after every meal, but rinsing helps. “Rinsing with water after you eat—or after you drink something that isn’t water—will reduce gum inflammation and your risk for cavities,” explains Olson.

If your dentist recommends more frequent cleanings, schedule them. Those with periodontal disease require more frequent visits to the dentist. Instead of every six months, cleanings every three months are recommended.

If you have deep pocketing of your gum tissue, it’s not possible for you to keep your teeth clean at home. Bacteria build up inside those deep pockets, and that’s what leads to the jawbone deterioration and tooth loss from periodontal disease.   

Schedule fertility treatments at least a few weeks after deep dental cleanings. Preliminary research has found that deep dental cleanings—specifically cleanings intended to treat periodontal disease—can cause a temporary increase in immunological activity. Researchers worry this may negatively impact fertility treatment success.

This is all still theory. However, if you can, try to have a three or more week buffer between your cleanings and your fertility treatment cycle.

If you smoke, make a commitment to quit. Smoking both increases your risk of developing periodontal disease and harms fertility. This is true for both men and women

Talk to your doctor about dental X-rays during the two-week-wait. You know you’re not supposed to have X-rays when you’re pregnant. But does that apply during the two-week-wait (the days between ovulation and your expected period)? Most OB/GYNs say dental X-rays during this time are safe. Still, talk to your doctor if you’re concerned. 

Read the full article and references here:
www.verywellfamily.com/can-dental-hygiene-affect-fertility-4136661

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Your Mouth Has a Lot to Say About Your Overall Health https://emerginnova.com/your-mouth-has-a-lot-to-say-about-your-overall-health/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=your-mouth-has-a-lot-to-say-about-your-overall-health https://emerginnova.com/your-mouth-has-a-lot-to-say-about-your-overall-health/#respond Mon, 20 Mar 2023 09:20:09 +0000 https://emerginnova.com/?p=113323 The benefits of good dental hygiene go beyond bright smiles. Making sure you’re brushing properly, flossing daily, and keeping up with dental appointments preserves your overall health.

Dental problems such as gum disease and tooth decay can contribute to a number of health conditions, including heart disease and pneumonia.

This article provides a quick overview of the conditions associated with poor oral health, those that can make your dental health worse, as well as what you can do to maintain your smile.

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The benefits of good dental hygiene go beyond bright smiles. Making sure you’re brushing properly, flossing daily, and keeping up with dental appointments preserves your overall health.

Dental problems such as gum disease and tooth decay can contribute to a number of health conditions, including heart disease and pneumonia.

This article provides a quick overview of the conditions associated with poor oral health, those that can make your dental health worse, as well as what you can do to maintain your smile.

What Conditions Are Linked to Poor Oral Hygiene?

Increasingly, researchers are finding significant connections between your overall health and dental health. Poor oral hygiene has been directly linked to pneumonia, a range of serious heart problems, as well as complications during pregnancy and childbirth.1

 

Heart Disease

Over the last several years, a growing body of evidence has linked dental issues, especially missing teeth and periodontitis (advanced gum disease), with heart disease and other cardiac issues.2

 These cardiac and blood circulation problems include:

 
  • Coronary heart disease: Also known as atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease arises when arteries in the heart harden, interrupting or entirely blocking blood flow.
  • Heart failure: This is when the heart is unable to pump sufficiently, causing blood to pool in other parts of the body, especially the legs and lungs.  
  • Cardiac arrhythmia: Characterized by irregular, too fast, or too slow heartbeat, cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation (Afib), may also arise.  
  • Stroke: Caused by blood clots or burst vessels in the brain, strokes cause seizures and are a medical emergency.
 

People with poor oral health have increased rates of heart attack and stroke, among other cardiac issues. While oral problems may not directly cause cardiac conditions, they may contribute to problems with the heart and are related. More research is needed, though, to understand why there is this connection.3

 

Endocarditis

Poor oral hygiene is also a risk factor for endocarditis, an infection of the tissues of the heart. Bacteria in the mouth due to the gum diseases gingivitis and periodontitis can enter the bloodstream and cause a potentially life-threatening inflammation of the endocardium (the tissues in the inner lining of the heart’s chambers and valves).4

 

Pregnancy and Birth Complications

Complications during pregnancy and birth can also arise due to poor oral hygiene and health. Additionally, being pregnant makes you more likely to develop gingivitis, periodontitis, loose teeth, or tooth decay due to hormone fluctuations. Problems in the mouth have been linked to a range of such issues, including:5

 
 

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung infection that ranges in severity and can become life-threatening.

 

A 2020 study of pneumonia patients in South Korea found missing teeth, having cavities, and poor oral hygiene to be closely linked to this condition.6 This is because bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream and infect the lungs, leading to symptoms of pneumonia.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Though the exact nature of the relationship is unknown, associations have also been found between gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This autoimmune disease damages the joints, causing pain and inflammation. Certain bacteria in the mouth, especially Porphyromonas gingivalis, have been found in arthritic joints, indicating an association.7

 

Alzheimer’s Disease

Studies have linked gingivitis and Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive form of dementia that causes a degeneration of nerve cells in the brain. Researchers have found that the Porphyromonas gingivalis bacteria can travel from the gums to the brain, where they emit enzymes that damage neurons.8

 

Alzheimer’s and Dental Care

People with Alzheimer’s disease may need assistance taking care of their teeth. Caregivers or family members may need to help people with Alzheimer’s brush and floss regularly.  

What Conditions Can Worsen Oral Health?

Not only can oral health conditions like gingivitis and tooth decay lead to or worsen other health issues, oral health is also affected by other diseases. This is especially the case with chronic and long-term conditions. Here’s a quick breakdown of health problems that can affect your mouth.

 

Diabetes

Diabetes arises when there are problems converting sugars (glucose) into energy, leading to very high blood sugar levels. There are several different types of diabetes, of which type 2 diabetes is the most common.

 

Diabetes causes excessive urination, sudden weight loss, fatigue, and other symptoms and is associated with periodontal disease. Gum disease can cause tooth loss and other problems.9

 

HIV/AIDS

Living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which can lead to AIDS, can significantly impact oral health. With HIV, a range of oral and dental issues can arise, including:10

 
  • Gingivitis
  • Periodontitis
  • Cavities
  • Canker sores
  • Dry mouth
  • Blisters
  • Oral candidiasis (a fungal infection of the mouth)
 

Immune Health and Dental Health

People with HIV are more vulnerable to dental and oral problems because the virus attacks and weakens the immune system. As a result, it’s tougher for the body to fight off bacteria in the mouth.   

Osteoporosis

A disease that affects bone health and density, osteoporosis is another condition that can cause significant damage to your teeth and gums. The bone loss associated with this disease can affect the jawbone, causing teeth to loosen or fall out. Weakened bones in the jaw can also cause problems with dental appliances like bridges and dentures.

 

Osteoporosis is also associated with periodontitis. Though the exact connection isn’t clear, the weakening of the underlying bone may make the gums and teeth more susceptible to bacterial infection.11

 

How to Maintain Oral Health

Good oral hygiene includes the following:12

 
  • Brush properly: An electric toothbrush is preferred. If using a manual toothbrush, use small, circular motions. No matter which toothbrush you use, brush for two to three minutes at a time, twice a day.
  • Floss: Brushing alone is unable to get into the spaces in between the teeth, floss at least once a day.
  • Incorporate fluoride: Fluoride in drinking water (the water you drink from the tap) or toothpaste helps strengthen tooth enamel.
  • Get regular care: Make sure to visit a dentist for routine checkups and cleanings two times per year.
  • Reduce alcohol and tobacco use: Smoking and using alcohol and chewing tobacco can damage your teeth and gums.
  • Be aware of medications: Dry mouth is a common side effect of medications, and it can lead to dental problems.
 

Summary

Dental issues, especially tooth loss and gum disease, have been linked to heart disease, endocarditis, and complications during pregnancy and birth, among other conditions.1 Furthermore, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and osteoporosis can worsen oral health. Practicing good oral hygiene and getting regular dental checkups are important for maintaining your overall health.   

 

A Word From Verywell

There’s a close relationship between the health of your teeth and that of the rest of your body. Developing good dental hygiene habits and keeping up with dental appointments are part of broader self-care practices. If you’re concerned about your teeth or are due for a checkup, be sure to call your dentist. 

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Oral health: A window to your overall health https://emerginnova.com/oral-health-a-window-to-your-overall-health/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=oral-health-a-window-to-your-overall-health https://emerginnova.com/oral-health-a-window-to-your-overall-health/#respond Mon, 27 Feb 2023 16:39:58 +0000 https://emerginnova.com/?p=113316 Did you know that your oral health offers clues about your overall health — or that problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body? Protect yourself by learning more about the connection between your oral health and overall health.

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Your oral health is more important than you might realize. Learn how the health of your mouth, teeth and gums can affect your general health.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Did you know that your oral health offers clues about your overall health — or that problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body? Protect yourself by learning more about the connection between your oral health and overall health.

What’s the connection between oral health and overall health?

 

Like other areas of the body, your mouth teems with bacteria — mostly harmless. But your mouth is the entry point to your digestive and respiratory tracts, and some of these bacteria can cause disease.

Normally the body’s natural defenses and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, keep bacteria under control. However, without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease.

 

Also, certain medications — such as decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers, diuretics and antidepressants — can reduce saliva flow. Saliva washes away food and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, helping to protect you from microbes that multiply and lead to disease.

Studies suggest that oral bacteria and the inflammation associated with a severe form of gum disease (periodontitis) might play a role in some diseases. And certain diseases, such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS, can lower the body’s resistance to infection, making oral health problems more severe.

What conditions can be linked to oral health?

 

Your oral health might contribute to various diseases and conditions, including:

  • Endocarditis. This infection of the inner lining of your heart chambers or valves (endocardium) typically occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of your body, such as your mouth, spread through your bloodstream and attach to certain areas in your heart.
  • Cardiovascular disease. Although the connection is not fully understood, some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause.
  • Pregnancy and birth complications. Periodontitis has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
  • Pneumonia. Certain bacteria in your mouth can be pulled into your lungs, causing pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.
 

Certain conditions also might affect your oral health, including:

  • Diabetes. By reducing the body’s resistance to infection, diabetes puts your gums at risk. Gum disease appears to be more frequent and severe among people who have diabetes.

    Research shows that people who have gum disease have a harder time controlling their blood sugar levels. Regular periodontal care can improve diabetes control.

  • HIV/AIDS. Oral problems, such as painful mucosal lesions, are common in people who have HIV/AIDS.
  • Osteoporosis. This bone-weakening disease is linked with periodontal bone loss and tooth loss. Certain drugs used to treat osteoporosis carry a small risk of damage to the bones of the jaw.
  • Alzheimer’s disease. Worsening oral health is seen as Alzheimer’s disease progresses.

Other conditions that might be linked to oral health include eating disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, certain cancers and an immune system disorder that causes dry mouth (Sjogren’s syndrome).

Tell your dentist about the medications you take and about changes in your overall health, especially if you’ve recently been ill or you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes.

How can I protect my oral health?

 

To protect your oral health, practice good oral hygiene daily.

  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time. Use a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste.
  • Floss daily.
  • Use mouthwash to remove food particles left after brushing and flossing.
  • Eat a healthy diet and limit sugary food and drinks.
  • Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if bristles are splayed or worn.
  • Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings.
  • Avoid tobacco use.
 

Also, contact your dentist as soon as an oral health problem arises. Taking care of your oral health is an investment in your overall health.

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Gum disease and the connection to heart disease https://emerginnova.com/gum-disease-and-the-connection-to-heart-disease/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gum-disease-and-the-connection-to-heart-disease https://emerginnova.com/gum-disease-and-the-connection-to-heart-disease/#respond Fri, 13 Jan 2023 07:58:21 +0000 https://emerginnova.com/?p=113308 The bacteria that infect the gums and cause gingivitis and periodontitis also travel to blood vessels elsewhere in the body where they cause blood vessel inflammation and damage; tiny blood clots, heart attack and stroke may follow. Supporting this idea is the finding of remnants of oral bacteria within atherosclerotic blood vessels far from the mouth. Then again, antibiotic treatment has not proven effective at reducing cardiovascular risk.

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By , Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing

For me, it’s been one of the more surprising observations in recent years: study after study has shown that people who have poor oral health (such as gum disease or tooth loss) have higher rates of cardiovascular problems such as heart attack or stroke than people with good oral health.

Why would cardiovascular disease and poor oral health be connected?

A number of theories have been proposed, including:

  • The bacteria that infect the gums and cause gingivitis and periodontitis also travel to blood vessels elsewhere in the body where they cause blood vessel inflammation and damage; tiny blood clots, heart attack and stroke may follow. Supporting this idea is the finding of remnants of oral bacteria within atherosclerotic blood vessels far from the mouth. Then again, antibiotic treatment has not proven effective at reducing cardiovascular risk.
  • Rather than bacteria causing the problem, it’s the body’s immune response – inflammation – that sets off a cascade of vascular damage throughout the body, including the heart and brain.
  • There may be no direct connection between gum disease and cardiovascular disease; the reason they may occur together is that there is a 3rd factor (such as smoking) that’s a risk factor for both conditions. Other potential “confounders” include poor access to healthcare and lack of exercise – perhaps people without health insurance or who don’t take good care of their overall health are more likely to have poor oral health and heart disease.

study published in 2018 is among the largest to look at this question. Researchers analyzed data from nearly a million people who experienced more than 65,000 cardiovascular events (including heart attack) and found that:

  • After accounting for age, there was a moderate correlation between tooth loss (a measure of poor oral health) and coronary heart disease.
  • When smoking status was considered, the connection between tooth loss and cardiovascular disease largely disappeared

This study suggests that poor oral health does not directly cause cardiovascular disease. But if that’s true, how do we explain other studies that found a connection even after accounting for smoking and other cardiovascular risk factors?

It’s rare that a single study definitively answers a question that has been pondered by researchers for decades. So, we’ll probably need additional studies to sort this out.

But wait, there’s more!

The connection between poor oral health and overall health may not be limited to cardiovascular disease. Studies have linked periodontal disease (especially if due to infection with a bacterium called porphyromonas gingivalis) and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, a 2018 study found a link between this same bacterium and risk of pancreatic cancer. However, as in the case of the connection with heart disease, an “association” is not the same as causation; we’ll need additional research to figure out the importance of these observations.

The bottom line

Whether the link is direct, indirect or coincidence, a healthy mouth and a regimen to keep it that way (including not smoking, and getting regular dental care) can help you keep your teeth. That’s reason enough to do what you can to make oral health a priority. Perhaps it will turn out to have other benefits though much of that remains speculative.

Stand by for more studies on the link between oral health and overall health. Until then, keep brushing, flossing and seeing your dentist.

About the Author

Robert H. Shmerling, MD,

Robert H. Shmerling, MD, is associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and Clinical Chief of Rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston where he teaches in the Internal Medicine Residency Program. He is also the program director of the Rheumatology Fellowship. He has been a practicing rheumatologist for over 25 years.

Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing

Dr. Robert H. Shmerling is the former clinical chief of the division of rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), and is a current member of the corresponding faculty in medicine at Harvard Medical School. As a practicing rheumatologist for over 30 years, Dr. Shmerling engaged in a mix of patient care, teaching, and research. His research interests center on diagnostic studies in patients with musculoskeletal symptoms, and rheumatic and autoimmune diseases. He has published research regarding infectious arthritis, medical ethics, and diagnostic test performance in rheumatic disease. Having retired from patient care in 2019, Dr. Shmerling now works as a senior faculty editor for Harvard Health Publishing.

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Dangers of Neglecting your Oral Health https://emerginnova.com/dangers-of-neglecting-your-oral-health/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dangers-of-neglecting-your-oral-health https://emerginnova.com/dangers-of-neglecting-your-oral-health/#respond Mon, 19 Dec 2022 15:11:47 +0000 https://emerginnova.com/?p=113297 Poor oral hygiene affects your mouth adversely. It causes bad breath, gum disease, decay, abscesses of a tooth, infections in the mouth and eventually tooth loss. But little do we know that neglecting oral hygiene can lead to serious health complications.

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Poor oral hygiene affects your mouth adversely. It causes bad breath, gum diseasedecay, abscesses of a tooth, infections in the mouth and eventually tooth loss. But little do we know that neglecting oral hygiene can lead to serious health complications. For example, in the early stages of gum disease it shows symptoms of gingivitis, with bleeding gums when you brush. When left untreated it develops into periodontitis when the gums begin to pull away from the teeth. This allows bacteria to grow into newer pockets. Every time you brush bacteria are pushed into the body, which triggers inflammation.   

Bacteria or other inflammatory chemicals that are released from the immune system as a result of infections in the mouth enter the bloodstream and influence the behavior of other tissues and organs making the impact systemic. 

Studies have linked oral health to Type II diabetes, cancer and heart diseases. Diseases in the mouth due to lack of oral hygiene also affects nutrition. Due to the resulting pain and inflammation we tend to limit the consumption of fruits, vegetables and cereals. 

Some studies have shown that a bacterium known as Fusobacterium nucleatum which is commonly implicated in gum diseases can reduce the ability of immune cells to recognize and destroy cancer causing cells. 

Poor oral health is also linked to memory loss which is an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease. Some studies show that inflammatory chemicals released due to gum infections can end up inflaming the brain. This then results in brain cell death causing memory loss.

Bad oral health is linked to respiratory problems such as pneumonia and acute bronchitis. Infection-causing bacteria travel from the mouth to the bloodstream from where it gets access to lungs. This aggravates respiratory symptoms in some patients. 

Experts recommend that you brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Combine this with regular visits to a dentist who can help identify hidden diseases in the mouth and save  you from other diseases. As they rightly say, look after your teeth, they will look after you.

Many people from Rocky Hill come to our office because we are conveniently located next to Target. Our flexible hours and family dental practice makes it easy for busy families to schedule visits for both parents and children.

To know more about the importance of oral health, contact Green Meadow Dental at 3579 B Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06111, (860)- 865- 0056 or keep reading our blogs! We also serve patients from surrounding areas like Farmington, Southington and Portland.

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How Your Oral Health Affects Your Overall Wellness https://emerginnova.com/how-your-oral-health-affects-your-overall-wellness/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-your-oral-health-affects-your-overall-wellness https://emerginnova.com/how-your-oral-health-affects-your-overall-wellness/#respond Mon, 21 Nov 2022 06:15:51 +0000 https://emerginnova.com/?p=113290 Brushing, flossing, and regular visits to the dentist can protect you from far more than cavities.

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Brushing, flossing, and regular visits to the dentist can protect you from far more than cavities.

 Medically Reviewed by Eric Yabu, DDS on April 29, 2011

When Joanne Maglares, now 50, visited her dentist for a broken tooth from chewing on ice, she had no inkling that her overall health was in jeopardy. A scholarship coordinator at a New York City high school and mother of four, she was so consumed with work and family that she often ignored her own well-being.

But her dentist took one look at her mouth, noticed multiple tooth fractures and rapidly advancing gum (periodontal) disease, and surmised that she had an underlying health problem.”Those were red flags that something was not right,” says her dentist, Maria Emanuel Ryan, DDS, PhD, professor of oral biology and pathology at Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine.

Ryan urged Maglares to see her primary care doctor to get to the root of the problem. She was diagnosed and treated for high blood pressure and anemia. Five months later, she suffered a massive heart attack.

Oral Health, Overall Health

Researchers know there’s a synergic relationship between oral health and overall wellness. Gum disease is linked to a host of illnesses including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. By combing through 1,000-plus medical histories, researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry found that people with gum disease were twice as likely as others to die from a heart attack and three times as likely to have a stroke.

Gum disease is the most common chronic inflammatory condition in the world, yet it’s often a silent disease, Ryan says. Why? The mouth can act as a portal of entry for an infection, says Salomon Amar, DMD, PhD, professor and director at the Center for Anti-inflammatory Therapeutics at Boston University School of Dental Medicine. Ongoing inflammation in your mouth can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, which may lead to more inflammation in other parts of your body, such as the heart.

Some studies point to a reciprocal relationship between gum disease and diabetes.”When you treat and control diabetes, immediately the condition in the mouth improves. And when you treat periodontal disease, the need for insulin is reduced,” Amar says.

Maglares is on the road to recovery and indebted to her dentist. “If I hadn’t gone to the dentist, I don’t know if I’d be alive today. I pay a lot more attention to my teeth and gums. I believe it’s all connected.”

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