Body and Mouth Connection Over 60% of people suffer from dental phobia. Much of this fear is due to misconceptions about pain and harm to overall health if dental treatment is done. However, the truth is that if you do not take care of your oral health, it can have drastically negative consequences for your overall health.Numerous research indicates that there is a strong connection between gum disease and chronic health conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, lung disease, and osteoporosis. That is why at JP Dental & Implant Center, we strongly recommend that you keep your six-month dental appointments. What is the Body and Mouth Connection?Our mouth is a hotbed of bacteria. There are over 6 billion bacteria comprising over 700 different species in our mouths. Our oral microbiome consists of both good and bad bacteria; however, when the pH of our mouth becomes acidic, such as when we consume a large amount of sugary and acidic food, the number of harmful bacteria in our mouth increases. Our body’s natural immunity and good oral hygiene can keep bad bacteria in check. However, if the balance in the mouth is tipped, plaque-causing bacteria will proliferate and result in severe infection of the gums. Also known as periodontal disease, this infection causes inflammation and deterioration of the gums. If left to progress, it can destroy the bony structure supporting your teeth and can cause harm to your jawbone. It can also spread to other parts of the body causing different diseases including chronic autoimmune conditions. Since these diseases decrease the body’s immunity, they can make infection in the mouth that much more severe. Health Risk Factors Due to Oral BacteriaResearch has shown a link between gum disease and certain chronic conditions:
Aside from these health conditions, gum disease is also associated with rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren syndrome, eating disorders, and even cancer and HIV/AIDS. Fortunately, simple preventive measures like regular prophylaxis cleaning is a very effective way to keep gum disease at bay. If you already have gum disease, you can come to us for regular periodontal maintenance every two or four months, which can control the spread of harmful bacteria in your mouth. The two-to-four-month interval for periodontal maintenance is not arbitrary. Instead, it is based on sound research that bacteria can start re-colonizing two to four months after treatment and will start their destructive activities. That is why periodontal maintenance needs to be more frequent. If you suspect you have gum disease, don’t wait for it to become aggressive. Call us at (970) 822-7622 to schedule a periodontal maintenance appointment today. |
