Dr. Kristina Quinn Degesys, a cardiologist at the Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Palos Hospital, explains the links between dental hygiene and cardiovascular disease.
As a dentist, Dr. Elias Macis often sees the consequences of neglecting oral health.
“The mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body,” he says. “The oral cavity is comparable to the front door of a home, which is the rest of the body.”
Leave the front door lock unchecked, and risk inviting in potential dangers.
“Mindfulness of oral health and what goes in the gateway to the body promotes health,” the Winfield Family Dental doctor said.
Poor dental health can mean bad news for a person’s overall health and well-being, and recent studies show researchers are discovering more ways that teeth and gum health affects the entire body.
Scientists at Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital recently discovered that those who have periodontal disease have a 17% higher risk of developing serrated polyps or benign tumors called adenomas, two conditions that act as early indicators of colon cancer.
Examining a database of health-care workers who volunteered information, the researchers found that those who had lost four or more teeth had a 20% higher risk of developing serrated polyps.
Oral health can also affect cardiovascular health, with research suggesting that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke are linked to infections and inflammation caused by oral germs.
Dr. Kristina Quinn Degesys, a cardiologist at the Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Palos Hospital, says endocarditis is one of her greatest concerns when discussing oral health with heart patients.
Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers or valves. This infection can occur when germs from the mouth spread through the blood, attaching themselves to the heart and causing issues such as heart valve disease.
“We are noticing that recurring gingivitis can lead to a heart valve infection,” Degesys said, which may require valve replacement.
“If you’re not good at maintaining your oral hygiene — brushing your teeth, flossing, seeing your dentist regularly — you can have bacteria that form on your gums or plaque on your teeth, and when you do go get a dental cleaning, that bacteria can get into your bloodstream,” Degesys said.
Studies have shown a connection between poor dental health and respiratory infections, as well.
Dr. Amit Kakkar, an interventional cardiologist with Powers Health, says many studies look at the relationship between dental health and diabetes, and over the long-term course of some of these studies, researchers discovered how poor dental health can affect other areas of the body.
Two cohort studies from the United Kingdom and U.S. followed up with participants nine to 15 years later and found that those who had partial or complete tooth loss had more difficulty eating and chewing.
“Some patients are not able to swallow food correctly and risk aspiration events or inability to clear saliva,” he said. “This was shown to lead to increased respiratory infections.”
Before seeing a dentist, some patients may need antibiotics, even for a routine dental cleaning.
“Some of these are patients who have a history of heart valve repair or unrepaired congenital heart disease, as well as anyone who has a history of endocarditis and who has a mechanical circulatory device like an LVAD,” Degesys said.
Dr. David Avenetti, head of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry, calls tooth decay a prevalent disease that is strongly associated with heart disease, dementia and infection.
Dr. David Avenetti, an associate professor and head of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry, says for patients who have a planned surgery, it may be a good idea to pack a toothbrush.
“A Harvard study shows that when people are hospitalized, brushing reduces the amount of hospital-acquired-pneumonia rates,” he said.
In fact, the study, which reviewed 15 randomized trials involving nearly 2,800 patients, found that participants who brushed their teeth twice daily while hospitalized were 33% less likely to develop pneumonia.
“Good oral hygiene does more than just keep your smile bright,” says Dr. Raheel Khatri, a dentist with NorthShore Health Centers. “It plays a significant role in preventing serious health issues like heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s.”
Keeping the mouth healthy also can help prevent pregnancy-related complications.
“This link between oral care and overall health underscores why brushing and flossing are about more than just preventing cavities,” Khatri said. “They’re key steps in caring for your entire body.”
Dr. Eric Compton and Dr. George. Politakis, of Compton and Broomhead, emphasize the importance of salivary flow and how to maintin it in prevention dental problems.
Yet misconceptions often downplay the seriousness of gum disease, says Dr. George Politakis of Compton and Broomhead Dental Center in Munster. This can lead to some patients neglecting regular dental checkups.
“Recognizing this link emphasizes the importance of preventive dental care for maintaining both oral and systemic health,” he said.
Vulnerable populations include the elderly, individuals with diabetes and those with compromised immune systems, Politakis said.
“They are more vulnerable to the health consequences of poor dental hygiene due to factors like decreased salivary flow, impaired immune response and higher susceptibility to infections,” Politakis said.
Kakkar says one of the biggest concerns with dental health is access.
“We know that underserved populations and elderly populations tend to have more chronic conditions and more limited access to dental care,” Kakkar said. “For any community, a social determinant of health is the ability to receive dental care.”
Because dry mouth can be caused by medications prescribed for common conditions including hypertension, depression and anxiety, underserved areas often have higher incidences of chronic disease and little recourse for obtaining dental care, Kakkar said.
An often overlooked part of a person’s well-being impacted by dental health is a patient’s mental health, Politakis said.
“Poor dental health can impact mental health and quality of life by causing pain, discomfort and embarrassment, leading to decreased self-esteem,” he said.
Financial situations may also influence mental health, a correlation that can be influenced by neglecting dental health, Macis says. To resolve significant dental issues, more expensive treatments such as deep cleanings, extractions, root canals, crowns, implants and dentures may be needed.
“Health-care systems limit individuals’ coverage yearly, and neglect of dental health by individuals will likely lead to more expensive treatment options that will then make for more out of pocket costs,” he said.
So prevention is key, Macis said.
“With regular dental provider visits and prevention, more costly treatments can be avoided,” he said.
link