The Impact of Oral Health on Your Whole Body Health

You may not have known it, but oral health has a direct connection to the health of your body as whole. Caring for your teeth, gums and jaw is important. Even if you didn't realize it, there are key indicators that can point to signs of infection, osteoporosis or other diseases if you are not keeping your oral health in check. The American Association of Orthodontists explains in greater detail in this excerpt from its website:

In recent years, a growing number of oral health professionals including orthodontists, periodontists and dentists agree there are links between the health of your mouth and the overall health of your body. Like all health science, the subject can be complex. But, in its simplest from, the message is that good oral health improves whole body health. 

 Every one of us has millions of oral bacteria naturally occurring in our mouths. But when oral bacteria go too far, they can form sticky plaque, which can lead to gum or periodontal disease. Researchers believe overall health risks arise when bacteria in the mouth reach advanced levels and move into other parts of the body. Some of the findings, so far, make a very strong case. A number of studies have found that blood sugar levels in diabetics with periodontal disease were significantly reduced when the patients’ gum disease was treated. A study done by the American Society of Microbiology identified genes in certain oral bacteria that allow the organisms to invade and infect human arterial cells, weakening the walls of the heart. Other medical scientists are concerned that excessive oral inflammation can contributes to clogged arteries. 

 Studies also show that osteoporosis, a disease that causes the bones to become less dense over time as the body loses calcium, could be at the root of tooth loss. Though more research is needed to establish a link, osteoporosis and gum disease have been shown to cause significant tooth loss. One study shows that the risk of tooth loss is three times greater for women with osteoporosis than for women who do not have the disease.