Holistic Approach to Overall Health: Becoming Pro-Active

Years ago, when someone had heart disease, they would not relate it to the health of their gums. The same went for diabetes, pregnancy, or just about any other medical condition. Times have changed and holistic dentistry is taking charge. During the past 5 to 10 years, there has been a lot of studies that show direct links between mouth health and body health. In one recent study, people with gum disease were 40% more likely to have a chronic condition on top of it.

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 and 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 gum disease, known as periodontitis. Inflammation can also cause problems in the rest of the body.

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. 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.

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. 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. 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. Holistic dentistry can help by increasing the health of the gums and underlying bone, thus having a more positive effect on the entire body.

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, we recommend a comprehensive periodontal exam, which includes our Seven Screenings, if you’re pregnant or before you become pregnant to identify whether or not you’re at risk.

Osteoporosis and periodontitis have an important thing in common – bone loss.  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. Holistic dentistry helps to ensure your bone stays healthy by pro-actively treating early disease before it gets more severe.

One thing is clear: the body and mouth are not separate. Your body can affect your mouth and your mouth can affect your body. 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.  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.