Tooth of the matter

Oral hygiene is crucial to holding onto our teeth as we age. But does dental health have any broader effect on our overall health?

Irecently visited the dentist, where my hygienist spent a lot of time scraping my teeth. At the conclusion of the visit, she — gently — chided me about my flossing habits (or lack thereof).

For the next couple of days, I suffered the aftereffects of the visit in the form of sore, sensitive gums. That lingering discomfort will serve as a reminder to do better, lest I suffer the same fate at my next visit.

Obviously, oral hygiene is crucial to holding onto our teeth as we age. But does dental health have any broader effect on our overall health?

Dr. Prescott Prescribes

To my knowledge, there is no research that definitively shows that poor dental health causes any specific disease. But there is a growing body of evidences that points to a link between a host of diseases and oral hygiene — especially periodontal disease.

Periodontal, or gum, disease is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by hundreds of species of bacteria found in plaque below the gum line. In its milder forms, it causes swollen gums, irritation and bleeding. If it progresses, it leads to receding gums, damaged bone and tissue around teeth, and tooth loss.

Gum disease is also, it seems, a risk factor for a variety of cardiovascular conditions. For instance, it’s been associated with an increased risk of stroke. Another study showed that when patients with gum disease received treatment, their stroke chances dropped.

Similarly, other research has found that people with gum disease show increased rates of coronary heart disease. Loss of tooth-supporting bone due to gum disease has also been linked to cardiovascular disease.

Research also points to ties between gum disease and a variety of other illnesses; scientists have identified associations between gum disease and diabetes, kidney disease, respiratory illness and premature births. Here at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Dr. Umesh Deshmukh has found that exposure to certain periodontal bacteria impacts disease activity in patients with lupus.

These findings are not surprising.

First, the bacteria that run amok in gum disease could well be causing collateral damage. For instance, in mice, those bacteria caused spikes in cholesterol and inflammation, both of which are associated with cardiovascular disease. Scientists also observed that the bacteria did not stay isolated in the animals’ mouths; they traveled throughout their bodies, to their hearts, kidneys, lungs and liver.

Second, and relatedly, gum disease is an inflammatory condition. And like the bacteria that cause it, this inflammation is likely not isolated to your mouth. Increasingly, we have come to understand that just about every disease has a significant inflammatory component.

Consequently, something that causes widespread inflammation in your body is a prime suspect for causing maladies beyond gum disease.

We shouldn’t need another reason to take care of our teeth and gums. Still, when it comes to brushing and flossing, we’re human. We slack off occasionally. Here’s one more reason to stay vigilant!

Prescott, a physician and medical researcher, is president of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Cohen is a marathoner and OMRF’s senior vice president and general counsel.