Links Between Oral Disease and Chronic Disease
Dec 23, 2015
Links Between Oral Disease and Chronic
Disease
75% of adults have some form of periodontal disease.
The majority of people do not know they have it, because it is usually painless in its early stages.
Is chronic gum disease contributing to chronic inflammation throughout the body?
Oral Health Is A Critical Component Of Total Health
Periodontal (Gum) Diseases are linked to:
–Heart Disease
–Lung Disease
–Diabetes
–Pre-mature, low-birth weight babies
HEART DISEASE
Bacteria found in the mouth can enter the blood stream and spread throughout the body. This bacteria can:
infect the heart, as well as other organs cause inflamed coronary arteries ( can
lead to heart attacks and strokes)
Individuals with undiagnosed or uncontrolled diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than people without diabetes
Diabetes
Individuals with well-controlled diabetes have no more periodontal disease than persons without diabetes
Well Controlled Diabetics
The rate of developing periodontal disease in a person with diabetes is two to three times greater than in those without the disease
Those with poorly controlled diabetes respond poorly to any periodontal therapy
A diabetic who smokes and is over 45 is 20 times more likely than a nonsmoking, nondiabetic to have severe periodontitis
Diabetes – Oral Disease Risks
Lung Disease or
Respiratory Ailments
Bacteria associated with periodontal disease can travel from the mouth to the lungs
where it can lead to or aggravate respiratory diseases.
Contributing Systemic Risk Factors
Conditions, habits, or diseases that increase an individual’s susceptibility to periodontal infection
Systemic Risk Factors Tobacco use Osteoporosis Hormone alterations Systemic medications
Smoking and Tobacco Use
Important risk factor in development and progression of periodontal disease
More significant than poor oral hygiene
12 to 14 times more likely than nonsmokers to have severe loss of tissue and/or bone
Likely to lose more teeth than nonsmokers
18 times more likely to be infected with periodontal pathogens than nonsmokers
Smokers are….
Smoking may be responsible for more than 50% of cases of periodontal disease among adults in the US
Extent of periodontal disease is directly related to the number of cigarettes smoked and number of years of smoking
Relationship to Oral Disease
Affects more than 20 million people in US May be a link in skeletal osteoporosis and
oral bone loss Does not initiate tissue destruction but may
aggravate the progression of periodontal disease
Osteoporosis
Levels of sex hormones vary throughout life:◦ Puberty◦ Pregnancy◦ Menopause
Hormone Alterations
Puberty & Pregnancy Pubertal gingivitis
occurs equally in males and females
Pregnancy gingivitis -Usually occurs in patients who have gingivitis before becoming pregnant
Oral changes related to:
◦ Dry mouth◦ Burning sensation◦ Altered taste◦ Bone loss may be worsened
Menopause, Post-Menopause
Effects of Oral Medications- Effect on Gingival Tissues - overgrowth- Effect on Salivary Flow – dry mouth
Medications Associated with Gingival Enlargement- Phenytoin - Cyclosporine - Nifedipine
Effects of Medications
More than 400 over-the-counter and prescription drugs have xerostomic effects◦ Antihypertensives – blood pressure◦ Narcotic analgesics – pain medication◦ Tranquilizers - ◦ Diuretics – water ◦ Antihistamines - allergy◦ Sedatives
Medication effects
Oral cavity as Source of Infection◦ Pathogenic bacteria enter bloodstream and cause
disease in other parts of body Relationship of inflammation in the mouth
and inflammatory diseases in the body
Periodontal Disease as a Risk Factor for Chronic Disease
The good news is taking care of your mouth provides more than healthy teeth and gums – it may reduce your risk of chronic diseases or more severe forms of some chronic diseases
Pain and suffering don’t have to be an option…..
Chronic Diseases & Oral Health
What can you do?