Oral Health: A Window to Your Overall Health

 Oral health is more important than most people realize. The mouth is an indicator of overall health just as the smile is an expression of the personality.
 

What is the connection between Oral Health and Overall Health?

Mouth is teeming with bacteria, most of which are harmless.  Under normal body’s natural defenses and good oral hygiene, these bacteria can be under control.  However, without proper oral hygiene; bacteria can reach levels that lead to oral as well as systemic infections.

Medications used to manage medical conditions like antihistamines, diuretics, pain killers, decongestants can reduce salivary flow, increasing the potential for dental disease.

Below is an excerpt from the Mayo Clinic-

What conditions may be linked to oral health?

Your oral health might affect, be affected by, or contribute to various diseases and conditions, including:

• Endocarditis. Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of your heart (endocardium). Endocarditis typically occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of your body, such as your mouth, spread through your bloodstream and attach to damaged areas in your heart.
• Cardiovascular disease. 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. Periodontitis has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
• Diabetes. Diabetes reduces the body's resistance to infection — putting the 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.
• HIV/AIDS. Oral problems, such as painful mucosal lesions, are common in people who have HIV/AIDS.
• Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis — which causes bones to become weak and brittle — might be linked with periodontal bone loss and tooth loss.
• Alzheimer's disease. Tooth loss before age 35 might be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.
• Other conditions. Other conditions that might be linked to oral health include Sjogren's syndrome — an immune system disorder that causes dry mouth — and eating disorders.

Because of these potential links, be sure to tell your dentist if you're taking any medications or have had any changes in your overall health — especially if you've had any recent illnesses 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 every day. For example:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
• Floss daily.
• Eat a healthy diet and limit between-meal snacks.
• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if bristles are frayed.
• Schedule regular dental checkups.

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

Women and Osteoporosis

"A woman’s mouth can say a lot about osteoporosis"

If you’re a woman, particularly age 50 or above, your dentist may be the first health professional to suspect you have osteoporosis — and refer you to a physician before the disease advances. Osteoporosis weakens bones by reducing their density. Although the disease may strike any gender at any age, the vast majority of sufferers are women over age 50. Osteoporosis is difficult to detect, and most patients are not diagnosed until their bone density has decreased to the point that a fracture occurs. However, symptoms of tooth loss or gum (periodontal) disease could indicate early stages of osteoporosis. Your dentist may detect the onset of the disease based on oral symptoms, your medical history (including risk factors) and results of a clinical and x-ray examination. This is why it’s important to visit your dentist regularly and to provide him or her with your complete medical history, even if you don’t think it relates to oral health.

For a No Cost Consultation, Call 909 627 6699 or Visit us at www.mydentistchino.com

Signs of osteoporosis

There are several signs that alert dentists to the possibility of osteoporosis:

1. Bone loss in the jaw. This may be a sign of bone loss in other parts of the body.
2. Tooth loss. Studies suggest that women with low bone mineral density tend to lose more teeth.
3. Ill-fitting dentures in post-menopausal woman. Studies show that post-menopausal women with osteoporosis need new dentures three times more often after age 50 than women without osteoporosis. Bone loss may become so severe that it may be impossible to create functional dentures. Without the aid of dentures to chew many types of food, older patients may suffer severe nutritional deficiencies.

If your dentist suspects you have osteoporosis, he or she can refer you to a physician for medical assessment and subsequent treatment. In addition to scheduling regular dentist visits, you can help prevent osteoporosis by:

1. Getting enough calcium each day, through diet or supplements (women/1,200mg; men/800mg; anyone over age 65/1,500mg)
2. Adding vitamin D to your diet
3. Exercising
4. Quitting smoking
5. Decreasing caffeine and alcohol intake. 

It's Just Teeth!

Patients often ask us why they need to disclose health information and sometimes feel that they can gloss over certain details, because after all, it’s just your teeth being taken care of, isn’t it?

Nothing could be further from the truth.  Dental care is more than superficial care and repair of the teeth.  We understand how your overall health affects your dental health.   Did you know that many serious health conditions first show up in your mouth?

For most healthy patients, undergoing dental work has no effect on their overall health and well-being.  For patients with certain health conditions, medical histories and some medications, undergoing a dental procedure can have adverse consequences if these factors are not taken into consideration, and appropriate precautions taken prior to treatment.  Since your health and safety is our primary concern, we take your medical history very seriously.

Some Common Concerns About Your Overall Health

Health conditions and medications can interfere with your regular dental care.  For some patients, undergoing a dental procedure without proper preparation and precaution can be dangerous.  Here are just a few examples of medical conditions which can complicate your dental care.

High Blood Pressure

We check your blood pressure when you arrive for your appointment.  This may seem trivial, but did you know that an abnormal blood pressure can have serious consequences if certain dental procedures are performed on a patient with high blood pressure?  Just a few complications could be excessive bleeding, dangerous continued elevation of blood pressure during treatment (increasing the risk for heart attack or stroke).

Heart Problems and Heart Valve Problems

Heart valve problems can increase your risk of experiencing a very serious heart infection called bacterial endocarditis.  For patients with heart conditions, certain precautions must be taken to ensure your safety.

Joint Replacements and Implants

Having an artificial joint replacement or other implant anywhere in your body can put you at risk for infections when bacteria from your mouth enter your bloodstream during dental treatment, and settle in the artificial joint or implant.  If you have any of these, be sure to mention it, so precautions can be taken if needed.

Osteoporosis

Patients with osteoporosis may be taking certain medications that affect the anatomical structure of your bone tissue.  Complications can occur following dental surgical procedures in some patients who are taking these medications, known as bisphosphonates.  In some instances, the jaw bone might not heal properly following a tooth extraction or other surgical procedure.  This can cause serious complications such as bone infection. If you are taking a medication for osteoporosis, such as Boniva, be sure to tell the dentist says Dr Cherukuri.

Diabetes

Patients with diabetes, both insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent can experience difficulties with wound healing.  Undergoing a surgical dental procedure can potentially result in problems with healing in patients with diabetes. 

Medication Allergies

If you are allergic to medications, foods or substances such as adhesive or latex, be sure to include that information on your medical history form so these allergens can be avoided during your treatment.

Having named just a few of the health conditions which must be addressed prior to your dental treatment, it’s easy to see how undergoing dental procedures can affect your overall health or exacerbate otherwise well-managed conditions.  When completing your medical history questionnaire, remember to be thorough and complete.  If changes in your medical conditions have changed since your last visit, be sure to update the information.

Your health and safety is important to us at Dr Cherukuri's dental office and having

  health history information about you helps us to provide you with the most comprehensive and safe dental treatment possible.

The Mouth is the Mirror to your Body

Oral Health: The Mouth-Body Connection

Years ago, a physician who suspected heart disease would probably not refer the patient to a gum specialist. The same went for diabetes, pregnancy, or just about any other medical condition. Times have changed. The past 5 to 10 years have seen ballooning interest in possible links between mouth health and body health.
"Physicians are taking a more holistic approach to their patients’ overall health," says Sally Cram, DDS, PC, consumer advisor for the American Dental Association. And for good reason. In one recent study, people with serious gum disease were 40% more likely to have a chronic condition on top of it.

What Your Dental Health Says About You

It's easy to ignore the effects of poor oral hygiene because they're hidden in your mouth. But gum disease may point to problems with diabetes and heart disease and loose teeth could be a sign of osteoporosis. Could it be that a healthy mouth means more than just a sparkling smile? And what could your dentist learn about you the next time you open wide?

• Read more about what your mouth says about you

Additional Links:

• Bad Breath: a Sign of Something More Harmful?
• Diet and Healthy Teeth
• 13 Healthy Habits to Improve Your Life
• Tooth Whitening: What Works and When to Say No

© 2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

In this article, WebMD answers two questions about the mouth-body connection. Why can the health of your mouth affect your whole body? And why are simple habits like daily brushing and flossing more important than you might think?

Your Mouth, the Gateway to Your Body

To understand how the mouth can affect the body, it helps to understand what can go wrong in the first place. Bacteria that builds up on teeth make gums prone to infection. The immune system moves in to attack the infection and the gums become inflamed. The inflammation continues unless the infection is brought under control.
Over time, inflammation and the chemicals it releases eat away at the gums and bone structure that hold teeth in place. The result is severe gum disease, known as periodontitis. Inflammation can also cause problems in the rest of the body.

Oral Health and Diabetes

The working relationship between diabetes and periodontitis may be the strongest of all the connections between the mouth and body. Inflammation that starts in the mouth seems to weaken the body’s ability to control blood sugar. People with diabetes have trouble processing sugar because of a lack of insulin, the hormone that converts sugar into energy.
"Periodontal disease further complicates diabetes because the inflammation impairs the body’s ability to utilize insulin," says Pamela McClain, DDS, president of the American Academy of Periodontology. To further complicate matters, diabetes and periodontitis have a two-way relationship. High blood sugar provides ideal conditions for infection to grow, including gum infections. Fortunately you can use the gum disease-diabetes relationship to your favor: managing one can help bring the other under control.

Oral Health and Heart Disease

Though the reasons are not fully understood, it’s clear that gum disease and heart disease often go hand in hand. Up to 91% of patients with heart disease have periodontitis, compared to 66% of people with no heart disease. The two conditions have several risk factors in common, such as smoking, unhealthy diet, and excess weight. And some suspect that periodontitis has a direct role in raising the risk for heart disease as well.
"The theory is that inflammation in the mouth causes inflammation in the blood vessels," says Cram. This can increase the risk for heart attack in a number of ways. Inflamed blood vessels allow less blood to travel between the heart and the rest of the body, raising blood pressure. "There’s also a greater risk that fatty plaque will break off the wall of a blood vessel and travel to the heart or the brain, causing a heart attack or stroke," Cram explains.

Oral Health and Pregnancy

Babies born too early or at a low birth weight often have significant health problems, including lung conditions, heart conditions, and learning disorders. While many factors can contribute to premature or low birth weight deliveries, researchers are looking at the possible role of gum disease. Infection and inflammation in general seem to interfere with a fetus’ development in the womb.
Though men have periodontitis more often than women do, hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase a woman’s risk. For the best chance of a healthy pregnancy, McClain recommends a comprehensive periodontal exam "if you’re pregnant or before you become pregnant to identify whether or not you’re at risk."

Oral Health and Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis and periodontitis have an important thing in common, bone loss. The link between the two, however, is controversial. Cram points out that osteoporosis affects the long bones in the arms and legs, whereas gum disease attacks the jawbone. Others point to the fact that osteoporosis mainly affects women, whereas periodontitis is more common among men.
Though a link has not been well established, some studies have found that women with osteoporosis have gum disease more often than those who do not. Researchers are testing the theory that inflammation triggered by periodontitis could weaken bone in other parts of the body.

Oral Health and Smoking

Not smoking is one of the most important things you can do for your mouth and your body. According to the CDC, a smoker’s risk of severe gum disease is three times higher than someone who does not smoke.
"Nicotine in cigarettes causes blood vessels to constrict," McClain tells WebMD. This interferes with your gums’ ability to fight infection. Not only that, smoking interferes with treatment -- gum surgeries tend to be more complicated and recovery more difficult.

Oral Health and Other Conditions

The impact of oral health on the body is a relatively new area of study. Some other mouth-body connections under current investigation include:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis. Treating periodontal disease has been shown to reduce pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
• Lung Conditions. Periodontal disease may make pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease worse, possibly by increasing the amount of bacteria in the lungs.
• Obesity. Two studies have linked obesity to gum disease. It appears that periodontitis progresses more quickly in the presence of higher body fat.

The Bottom Line on Oral Health

One thing is clear: the body and mouth are not separate. "Your body can affect your mouth and likewise, your mouth can affect your body," says McClain. "Taking good care of your teeth and gums can really help you live well longer." This means brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and going for regular dental cleanings and check-ups.
Cram stresses the importance of letting your dentist know your full family medical history. And, she adds, "if you have periodontal disease, make sure you see your dentist frequently and get it treated promptly, before it progresses to the point where you begin losing teeth or it starts to affect your overall health.

Call Dr. Cherukuri for more information on the Mouth Body Connection 909 627 6699 or visit us at www.chinosmiles.com