For some conditions, like AIDS or diabetes, mouth tissues can give clues, such as lesions or other problems that are the first signs of a systemic disease. Periodontitus, an advanced infection of the gums that often causes tooth loss has been linked genetically with chronic degenerative diseases such as juvenile arthritis and lupus. People who have diabetes are almost three times more likely to develop gum disease. If a diabetic also smokes, the risk of gum disease rises dramatically. Scientists are also exploring the connections between cardiovascular disease and oral health.
If you have inflamed or infected gums, they will feed toxins and bacteria back into your body. Regular dental check-ups and oral exams should be part of your commitment to wellness. Dr. Brett Magnusen of Magnusen/Leonard Dental Associates says cavities are also a concern. “Unresolved tooth decay will eventually encroach on the nerve of the tooth and the blood vessels which communicate with the rest of the body,” he says. “Bacteria can spread into a systemic infection because it's trapped inside the abscessed tooth near the bone area. Hence, a root canal must be performed or the tooth is extracted. Without proper oral hygiene, plaque that forms on your teeth can build up and cause gingivitis, or bleeding gums.” Dr. Magnusen stresses that if gingivitis is left unchecked, more serious periodontal infections can result.
“Kalamazoo has a fairly high dental IQ,” he notes. “I see severe problems like this only in new patients who previously had no routine dental care. They usually come in on an emergency basis only.” If teeth must be removed, Dr. Magnusen points out that the shifting of the remaining teeth in the mouth can have adverse effects. “Headaches due to jaw problems are common, plus tooth loss can impact diet and nutrition. If you're lacking teeth or your teeth hurt, you can't chew certain foods,” he states. Cosmetics should not be brushed aside. Good oral hygiene leads to better self-esteem and social interaction when you have a healthy, normal smile on your face.
New evidence also shows pregnant women with severe gum disease may end up going into early labor. The theory is that bacteria from the oral problems circulate through the mother's body and into the placenta, interfering with fetal growth and development. Theresa Hollowell, a dental instructor at the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Dental Hygiene Program, notes the culprit may be prostaglandin. “The research indicates bacteria that cause periodontal disease produce the prostaglandin, which initiates labor,” she says. “Some studies say women with gum disease are seven times more likely to deliver prematurely and have low birth weight babies.”
Saliva is a signal. Our salivary glands are extremely sensitive to changes in general well being. We get a “dry mouth” when we're nervous or experience anxiety. The production of saliva is also affected by many prescription medications. “With diabetics, the excess sugar in their saliva makes them more prone to dental caries, or tooth decay,” Hollowell adds. “When you have an infection anywhere in your body, it makes it more difficult to control blood sugar.” While saliva can be tested to check for disease, it also helps protect us by killing off bacteria that enter through the mouth. “If there is too much bacteria present in the mouth due to poor oral hygiene, those with asthma or emphysema can be severely affected just by breathing,” Hollowell says.
The oral manifestations of AIDS seem to best illustrate the oral-systemic connection. A fungal disease called oral candidiasis is often seen in HIV-infected patients along with lesions called hairy leukoplakia, seen as whitish spots on the side of the tongue. Those lesions are strongly associated with Epstein-Barr virus and considered a reliable predictor of AIDS. Our human body is an amazing organism. These new studies regarding links between oral health and systemic well being may eventually provide medical science with better treatment or cures for chronic diseases, such as arthritis, lupus and AIDS.
