Oral Health

Understanding the Mouth-Body Connection

What is the mouth-body connection?

The oral-systemic link demonstrates how certain oral diseases can affect your overall health. Traditionally, dental health and overall health were approached as two separate entities. However, recent studies have proven they are deeply intertwined.

For instance, if you have diabetes, a dental infection can impact your blood sugar levels, making diabetes harder to control. When there is an infection in the gums, the barrier between the mouth and the body weakens, leaving your body more susceptible to bacteria entering the bloodstream. Bacteria in the blood can increase your risk of infection, injury, and inflammation, which can be harmful to your body. Reducing your risk of inflammation is imperative to maintaining optimal health.

Modern dentistry continues to explore the oral-systemic connection: the many ways in which our oral health impacts overall physical health and well-being. Dr. Patel and Dr. Paulen stay updated on key topics regarding these “mouth-body”connections:

• Oral care can affect your newborn.
• Oral cancer kills nearly 24 Americans each day.
• Headaches can be caused by the way you bite.
• Gum chewing can help prevent ear infections.
• E-cigarettes are just as harmful as tobacco for oral health.
• Your medications can cause dry mouth.
• Bleeding gums are linked to heart disease.
• Gum disease may be linked to Alzheimer’s.