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The Oral Systemic Connection
Is your mouth killing you?
Your mouth plays an important role in the overall health
of your body. Not just by what you put into it, but also how
well you take care of it. 3 out of every 4 Americans have
signs of periodontal disease or gingivitis with 30% showing
signs of the more severe disease, chronic periodontitis. These
can be painful problems on their own, but they also cause
problems in places you might not have considered…like
your brain, or your heart.
Recent studies have discovered a strong relationship between
oral health, the health of your teeth and gums, and other
diseases including cardiovascular and pulmonary disease, fetal
development, diabetes, orthopedic implant failure, kidney
disease, colon cancer, prostate cancer, Alzheimer’s,
formation of blood clots, respiratory disease – COPD
complications, osteoporosis, and heart attack. In fact, the
existence of periodontal disease is now considered to be more
predictive of heart attacks than high cholesterol!
There are three ways oral disease may affect your overall
health. First, bacteria and other inflammatory mediators,
called cytokines enter saliva from the gums. From the saliva
they adhere to water droplets in the air you breathe and get
into your lungs. This can cause pulmonary infection and pneumonia
which is especially troublesome for the elderly or those who
may suffer from weakened immunity associated with COPD.
Secondly, bacteria from periodontal disease can enter the
body’s circulatory system through the inflamed gums and
travel to all parts of the body. As the oral bacteria travels,
it may cause other infections or contribute to diseases in
other tissues and organs.
Finally, inflammation associated with periodontal disease
may stimulate the liver to secrete a protein, C-Reactive Protein
(CRP) which may contribute to, or complicate, an existing
disease like cardiovascular disease. Elevated CRP is more
predictive of heart attacks than elevated so called bad cholesterol
or LDL.
A new standard between dentistry and medicine is now developing.
As this “oral systemic connection” is more clearly
understood, dentists will play a greater role in the overall
health of their patients. Many times, the first signs of unhealthy
systemic conditions can be found by changes in the mouth.
When at risk patients are identified, a comprehensive Periodontal
Risk Evaluation should be performed and the results sent to
the patient’s treating physicians.
Physicians will also play a more active role in the “oral
systemic connection.” They should screen at risk patients
for the common signs of periodontal disease, which include
bleeding gums, swollen gums, pus, shifting teeth, chronic
bad breath, and family history of periodontal disease. When
appropriate, they will refer them to dentists and periodontists
who will evaluate and treat the condition. According to Dr
Hood, “This new era of dental/medical cooperation, will
without doubt, increase longevity, improve the overall health
and quality of life for all our patients”.
Dr. Mike Hood is pleased to offer an innovative outpatient
treatment for periodontal disease. The Laser Assisted New
Attachment Procedure™ (LANAP™) is an FDA-cleared
procedure to gently treat the diseased tissue without any
cutting or stitching of the gums. Dr. Hood is one of only
two dentists in Phoenix to be certified in LANAP, and has
been elected a Fellow in the Institute for Advanced Laser
Dentistry.
"I can now treat patients in my office with a gentle,
highly-effective, well-established, and scientifically-proven
procedure. LANAP reduces post-operative pain, recovery time,
and helps me provide the best possible care," said Dr.
Hood, of The Arizona Center for Laser Periodontal Treatment
in Phoenix.
It is in every patient’s best interest to keep their
mouth as healthy as possible. It is critical that patients
and physicians understand the Oral Systemic Connection and
how periodontal disease can cause or contribute to a magnitude
of other diseases and conditions throughout the entire body.
Call the Arizona Center for Laser Periodontal
Treatment at 602-234-3679
Saving Lives One Mouth at a Time.
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