Periodontal and Biofilm Diseases of the Mouth Success for the Oral Systemic Practice
Oral systemic health highlights the critical connections between oral health and overall body health, grounded in extensive research. Poor oral health can lead to numerous systemic health issues, emphasizing the importance of maintaining good dental hygiene. Oral systemic health refers to the growing body of research that demonstrates the link between oral health and overall body health. Numerous studies have shown that poor oral health can contribute to serious health conditions. The mouth serves as a gateway to the rest of the body. Healthcare professionals continue to uncover evidence supporting the oral-systemic link. Symptoms of various health issues, such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease, can often be detected first in the mouth. Harmful bacteria originating in the mouth can enter the bloodstream, leading to severe systemic conditions. Between 80-90% of heart disease can be prevented, and proper dental hygiene is one effective way to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Periodontal disease is directly linked to artery inflammation. Bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream, causing arteries to harden and increasing the risk of stroke or heart attack. Poor oral health is also associated with high blood pressure and dense LDL cholesterol, further elevating cardiovascular risk. Preventing gum disease through proper oral care and regular dental visits is crucial. Learn more: Poor oral health can lead to inflamed gums. Bacteria traveling from the mouth to the brain can kill brain cells, potentially leading to memory loss. Oral bacteria have been implicated in the development of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Pathogenic oral bacteria called spirochetes have been studied as a potential cause of Alzheimer's disease, with their presence being significantly higher in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. Salivary diagnostic testing can detect these oral pathogens. Learn more: According to the American Diabetes Association, 37.3 million Americans have diabetes, many of whom are unaware and undiagnosed. Diabetes increases the risk of infections, including gum infections. Periodontal disease can make it more challenging to control blood sugar levels, exacerbating diabetes complications or increasing the risk of developing diabetes. An estimated 95% of adults with diabetes also have periodontal disease. Learn more: A study by BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth found that women with periodontal disease are six times more likely to give birth prematurely. The bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum, present in the oral cavity, has been found in the amniotic fluid, placenta, and membranes of preterm birth patients. Learn more: One of the first signs of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is teeth grinding, which dentists and hygienists should look for in all patients. Grinding can cause cavities or inflamed gums, increasing susceptibility to infection. OSA is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, and headaches. Collaboration between medical and dental teams can aid in diagnosis and treatment. Learn more: Poor dental hygiene is connected to a higher risk of respiratory issues. Bacteria in the mouth can be inhaled into the lungs or travel through the bloodstream, potentially leading to respiratory infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, COPD, and lung disease. Working with a dentist and medical provider can help reduce infection progression from mouth to lungs. Learn more: There is a strong correlation between periodontal disease and cancer, including pancreatic, lung, and blood cancers. Smoking and chewing tobacco further increase the risk of oral cancer, making early detection critical for survival. Learn more: Johns Hopkins University has studied the link between poor oral health and rheumatoid arthritis. Results show a correlation between the bacteria Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and periodontal disease. The inflammatory response in rheumatoid arthritis patients is similar to that in periodontal disease. Learn more: Advanced periodontal disease can cause bone loss due to inflammation and infection. Research shows links between periodontal disease and bone density throughout the body. Proper oral hygiene, along with a suitable diet and supplementation, can lower the risk of periodontal disease and bone loss. Learn more: Poor oral health can lead to inflammation and infection, which travel through the bloodstream and make it more difficult for the body to fight off infections. Kidney disease, another consequence of poor oral health, can also lead to cardiovascular disease. Learn more: Poor oral health can affect sexual health. Periodontal disease creates infection pockets in the mouth, and bacteria in the bloodstream can cause inflamed blood vessels, blocking blood flow to the genitals. Men with periodontal disease are three times more likely to experience erectile dysfunction. Learn more: Periodontal disease, or gum disease, results from infections and inflammation in the mouth. It decreases the ability to fight infection and inflammation, increasing the risk of severe systemic health consequences. Proper dental care and regular checkups are essential for prevention. Learn more: Obesity and oral health share common risk factors, such as diet. A poor diet can harm oral health, affecting overall health. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for optimizing oral health. Learn more: Periodontal disease and respiratory diseases are linked to systemic inflammation. COVID-19 triggers an inflammatory response, and patients with severe periodontal disease are at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 complications. Learn more: Poor oral health can affect fertility. Women with poor oral health may take longer to conceive, and men with poor oral health may have lower sperm counts and reduced sperm motility. Learn more: Continuing research highlights the importance of prioritizing oral health to prevent systemic diseases. Oral testing can identify risk factors and inflammatory markers for developing periodontal disease. Proper cleaning and regular dental checkups can lower the risk. Seeking an oral-systemic dentist from AAOSH or collaborating with an AAOSH dentist can help manage and prevent periodontal disease. Find AAOSH practitioners here. The American Academy for Oral and Systemic Health offers free resources, including an infographics bundle, that you can download and share with your patients. Click here to download these resources. AAOSH also offers a 14-category Core Curriculum for members, which provides information on multiple areas of linked systemic diseases, treatment options, and best practices for medical-dental collaboration. To learn more, click here. Sign Up for one of our upcoming AAOSH day-long virtual learning events, where you can earn up to 6 CE/CME from the comfort of your home or office! Use the code LEARN30 at check out to save 30% on our upcoming LIVE 2024 and 2025 Virtual Events. 1. Li, X., Kolltveit, K. M., Tronstad, L., & Olsen, I. (2000). Systemic Diseases Caused by Oral Infection. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 13(4), 547–558. 2. Dietrich, T., Sharma, P., Walter, C., Weston, P., & Beck, J. (2013). The epidemiological evidence behind the association between periodontitis and incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 40(s14), S70-S84. 3. Kholy, K. E., Genco, R. J., & Van Dyke, T. E. (2015). Oral infections and cardiovascular disease. Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, 26(6), 315-321. 4.Dominy, S. S., Lynch, C., Ermini, F., Benedyk, M., Marczyk, A., Konradi, A., ... & Zhan, L. (2019). Porphyromonas gingivalis in Alzheimer's disease brains: Evidence for disease causation and treatment with small-molecule inhibitors. Science Advances, 5(1), 3333. 5. Kamer, A. R., Pirraglia, E., Tsui, W., Rusinek, H., Vallabhajosula, S., Mosconi, L., ... & de Leon, M. J. (2015). Periodontal disease associates with higher brain amyloid load in normal elderly. Neurobiology of Aging, 36(2), 627-633. 6. Preshaw, P. M., Alba, A. L., Herrera, D., Jepsen, S., Konstantinidis, A., Makrilakis, K., & Taylor, R. (2012). Periodontitis and diabetes: a two-way relationship. Diabetologia, 55(1), 21-31. 7. Engebretson, S. P., & Kocher, T. (2013). Evidence that periodontal treatment improves diabetes outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 40(s14), S153-S163. 8. Offenbacher, S., Katz, V., Fertik, G., Collins, J., Boyd, D., Maynor, G., ... & Beck, J. (1996). Periodontal infection as a possible risk factor for preterm low birth weight. Journal of Periodontology, 67(suppl 10s), 1103-1113. 9. Boggess, K. A., Beck, J. D., Murtha, A. P., Moss, K., Offenbacher, S., & Madianos, P. N. (2005). Maternal periodontal disease in early pregnancy and risk for a small-for-gestational-age infant. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 193(3), 761-767. 10.Sanders, A. E., Slade, G. D., & Fitzsimmons, T. R. (2004). Tooth loss and periodontal disease in young, middle-aged, and older adults. Journal of Dental Research, 83(7), 525-530. 11. Martelli, M. L., Brandi, M. L., Martelli, M., Nobili, P., & Medardo, M. (2017). Mini-review: the use of nutraceuticals to counteract the inflammation in periodontitis and metabolic syndrome. Frontiers in Immunology, 8, 1393. 12. Garcia, R. I., & Henshaw, M. M. (1996). Relationship between periodontal disease and systemic health. Periodontology 2000, 10(1), 121-135. 13. Gaeckle, N. T., Pragman, A. A., Pendleton, K. M., Baldomero, A. K., & Criner, G. J. (2020). The oral-lung axis: the impact of oral health on lung health. Respiratory Care, 65(8), 1211-1220. 14. Oguz, F., Eltas, A., Beytur, A., Akdemir, E., & Uslu, M. Ö. (2012). Is there a relationship between chronic periodontitis and erectile dysfunction? The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 9(1), 312-318. 15. Bdj Team. (2021). Gum disease linked to COVID-19 complications. BDJ Team, 8(4), 5. 16. Chung, K. K., & Wei, J. (2018). Oral health and fertility: Is there an association? Oral Diseases, 24(6), 936-943.What is Oral Systemic Health, and How Does Poor Dental Hygiene Cause Disease?
Understanding Oral Systemic Health
15 Key Health Conditions Linked to Oral Systemic Health:
Diseases Caused by Poor Dental Hygiene
1. Cardiovascular Disease
2. Alzheimer's Disease
3. Diabetes
4. High-Risk Pregnancy
5. Obstructive sleep apnea and Sleep Disorders
6. Respiratory Issues
7. Cancer
8. Rheumatoid Arthritis
9. Osteoporosis
10. Kidney Disease
11. Prostate / Erectile Dysfunction
12. Periodontal Disease
13. Obesity
14. COVID-19
15. Infertility
Preventing Diseases Caused by Poor Dental Hygiene
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