The Health Connection – How the Mouth and Body are
Interrelated
By Richard G. Samaha, M.D
New York- February 26, 2006—"Who benefits from medicine
and dentistry working together? The patient!"
That question, posed by ADA Executive Director James Bramson, kicked
off Thursday's joint media conference hosted by the American Dental
Association and the American Medical Association, part of the ADA's
national campaign to educate the public about the relationship between
oral health and overall health.
"Oral health conditions and other health conditions are more
closely related than many may once have thought," Dr. Bramson
said, "and viewing them as separate matters no longer makes
sense."
The conference, "Oral and Systemic Health: Exploring the Connection,"
addressed periodontal inflammation; diabetes and periodontal disease;
oral infections and cardiovascular risk factors; and pregnancy risks
and periodontal disease.
Toward a longer healthier life.
While we can’t hope to live forever, a key to a longer, healthier
life is to prevent the pre-mature onset of the major threats to
a healthy happy life: heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s
and lung diseases, to name a few. We are now learning that in addition
to good nutrition and exercise, keeping your mouth healthy is a
vital factor in the equation.
The Oral-Systemic Connection
The mouth is the gateway to the body. We rely on it for daily nutrition
and life support, communication, and even expressing our love. Veterinarians
will look first into “the horse’s mouth” to assess
the overall health of the animal, and over 80 years ago Dr. Charles
Mayo, founder of the famed Mayo Clinic, noted that people who keep
their teeth live an average of ten years longer than those who lose
them. We all know that a tooth infection, or abscess, can affect
other parts of the body, and those with heart conditions, or who
are about to have heart surgery are treated first with antibiotics
before any dentistry is done so that the bacteria from the mouth
does not travel through the bloodstream to damage the heart. Because
of the fact that the bloodstream is a two-way street, the new factor
emerging as most significant to total health is-
Gum Disease
Because it is part of the digestive system and the gateway to the
body, the mouth is filled with over 500 different micro-organisms,
more than any other part of the body except for the intestine.
The majority of these are useful, but some, especially the “anaerobic”
bacteria that avoid air and live in deep crevices, can cause harm
if allowed to penetrate the gums and enter the bloodstream. Therefore,
that little bit of bleeding that accompanies brushing your teeth,
and bad breath in the morning, can be a sign that you are under
attack by harmful bacteria. While beautiful pink gums are a sign
of good health, red puffy gums are a sign of inflammation, which
as we will see is linked to a host of serious diseases. Oftentimes,
periodontal disease is present even when the gums appear healthy
on the outside. Professional dental evaluation is necessary to determine
the presence or absence of periodontal disease.
How do we recognize gum disease and why do so many people have
it?
It is estimated that during their lifetime 80% of the U.S. population
will develop gum disease and that once it starts it does not usually
reverse itself without specialized care.
- It begins with the formation of bacterial plaque, a colorless,
sticky substance that forms every day. While diligent brushing
and flossing will remove it, if left alone, plaque will
create chemicals that attack the gums.
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- The bacteria cause a mineral buildup called calculus which
advances local irritation. This calculus cannot be removed
by diligent brushing and flossing, only by professional
care in the dental office.
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- The skin on your gums dies and is reborn every day and
this tissue contains sulfur. This sulfur mixes with the
bacteria and food forming sulfur compounds such as H2S (which
has a “rotten egg smell” well-known to chemistry
students).
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- While the symptom is bad breath, the problem is that the
sulfur compounds allow the bacteria to penetrate into the
gums. (13) (14)
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- If your body’s defenses are low because of poor
nutrition, other diseases, or even aging, it will not be
able to fight off these attacks.
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- Gum tissue and even bone are destroyed forming “periodontal
pockets” which allow additional harmful bacteria to
breed and enter the bloodstream.
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The initial stage of the gum disease is called Ginigivitis while
the more advanced stages with deep pocketing and bone loss are called
Periodontitis. The good news is we can combat the onset of periodontal
disease through diligent brushing and flossing, using toothpaste
and mouthwash that specifically combat anaerobic bacteria and sulfur
compounds, and improved nutrition and beneficial supplements. Regular
visits to your dentist for preventative care and checkups will support
your dental health and let you know if you are at additional risk.
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