Is there a link between the health inside of your mouth and the overall health inside of the rest of your body? Our 47715 dentist Dr. Jeffrey J. Robertson, DDS says that there is certainly a direct link between the health of the mouth and the overall health of the body. While good oral health may not be able to prevent disease in other parts of the body, unhealthy teeth, gums, tongue or palate can be a direct cause or at least a contributing factor in illness throughout the body.
According to our 47715 dentist, the first thing to consider is that the mouth contains a lot of different bacteria including the bacteria that is growing on and is responsible for tooth decay and gum disease. Luckily, most of this bacteria is harmless. Normally the body's natural defenses and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, can keep these bacteria under control. However, without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to the oral infections, which can relocate to other parts of the body. If you are taking certain medications such as decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers, diuretics and antidepressants these can reduce saliva flow. Saliva washes away food and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, helping to protect you from microbial invasion or overgrowth that might lead to disease.
In addition, certain diseases, such as diabetes, malnutrition and HIV/AIDS can lower the body's resistance to infection, making oral health problems more severe. So, when it comes bacteria, infection and illness there is real ebb and flow of infectious irritants washing between the mouth and the body. Our 47715 dentist has developed a prevention program that helps guard against oral health problems such as cavities and gingivitis (mild gum disease), which not only protects the oral cavity but also helps maintain the overall health of the body. Please make an appointment with our office.
By Jeffrey J. Robertson, DDS
February 20, 2019