
Oral Systemic Health. Oral Systemic Health pertains to maintenance of proper oral flora and prevention of dental diseases, both of which are linked to overall health and wellness. Many general infections and nutritional deficiencies often start in the mouth, may affect other organs of the body, and can lead to serious health issues.
How does oral health affect overall health?
- Cardiovascular (heart) disease – linked to gum disease and total teeth loss
- Dementia – tooth loss from any cause may increase dementia risk
- Diabetes – linked to total loss of teeth and gum disease
- Kidney disease – oral health problems can be a warning sign
- Obesity – may be linked to severe gum disease (periodontitis)
Is oral health linked to your overall health?
Research has however shown that there is a link between your overall health and dental health. Your mouth’s health will mirror your body’s well being. If your mouth is clean, so is your overall wellness. How is overall health linked with oral health? Up to 6 million bacteria are flooded in the mouth, most of them harmless.
What really is the oral systemic link?
The Oral Systemic Link is traced back to high-risk oral bacteria, most commonly entering the bloodstream through the gums of patients suffering from periodontal disease. This means preventing periodontal disease will ultimately lower your chances of these high-risk oral bacteria entering your bloodstream and causing havoc to your overall health!
What is poor oral health?
What is poor oral hygiene?
- Tooth pain
- Bleeding or swollen gums.
- Alterations in your tongue.
- Bad breath.
- Dry mouth.
- Growths within the mouth, such as a lump, lesion, or sore, stay in place for multiple days.
- Gum disease, which can lead to deterioration.

What is oral systemic?
There is an important connection between the health of your mouth and health of your body. This is called the oral-systemic connection. This simply means that oral health impacts your overall health, and systemic health (the presence of various diseases and disorders in your body) can affect your oral health.
How does oral health affect systemic health?
Significant associations between oral health status and a number of systemic diseases have been established, including, but not limited to, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer's disease and dementia, obesity, diabetes and metabolic disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and several cancers.
What is the meaning of oral health?
Oral health refers to the health of the teeth, gums, and the entire oral-facial system that allows us to smile, speak, and chew. Some of the most common diseases that impact our oral health include cavities (tooth decay), gum (periodontal) disease, and oral cancer.
What is the link between poor oral health and systemic disease?
One suggestion is that oral bacteria themselves may enter the bloodstream, form into clumps, and trigger systemic inflammation. The inflammatory response can cause swelling of cells and tissues, which narrow the arteries and increase the risk of blood clots.
What is a systemic health problem?
Systemic means affecting the entire body, rather than a single organ or body part. For example, systemic disorders, such as high blood pressure, or systemic diseases, such as the flu, affect the entire body. An infection that is in the bloodstream is called a systemic infection.
What are some systemic diseases?
Systemic DiseaseSarcoidosis.Neoplasm.Serositis.Metastatic Carcinoma.Lesion.Protein.Rheumatoid Arthritis.Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
What are 5 oral health diseases?
Types of dental and oral diseasesCavities. Cavities are also called caries or tooth decay. ... Gum disease (gingivitis) Gum disease, also called gingivitis, is inflammation of the gums. ... Periodontitis. ... Cracked or broken teeth. ... Sensitive teeth. ... Oral cancer.
What causes poor oral health?
Oral diseases are caused by a range of modifiable risk factors, including sugar consumption, tobacco use, alcohol use and poor hygiene, and their underlying social and commercial determinants.
How can you improve oral health?
How to Improve Your Oral HygieneBrush your teeth three times a day. ... Choose your toothbrush wisely, and replace it often. ... Floss regularly. ... Give your tongue some attention. ... Stop smoking. ... Limit your coffee intake. ... Eat a nutritious diet. ... Decrease sugar intake.More items...•
What are oral manifestations of systemic disease?
Oral manifestations of systematic disease are signs and symptoms of disease occurring elsewhere in the body detected in the oral cavity and oral secretions. High blood sugar can be detected by sampling saliva.
Can tooth infection cause systemic?
Without treatment, a tooth infection can spread to the face and neck. Severe infections may even reach more distant parts of the body. In some cases, they may become systemic, affecting multiple tissues and systems throughout the body.
Can gum disease cause systemic inflammation?
Based on well-designed epidemiological studies, it has been shown that people with periodontal diseases present a higher risk for systemic inflammation (12, 56). Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that shares common mechanistic pathways with other systemic inflammatory diseases.
Are you aware that oral health is associated with systemic health?
Oral health is integral to systemic health. There is a growing body of evidence of an association between periodontal and systemic diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the awareness of dentists regarding link between oral and systemic health.
How is dental caries related to systemic diseases?
In dental caries, involvement of root canal space or marginal periodontium are the most likely pathways for direct systemic extension of oral microbiota [10]. Host factors and pathogenic traits in oral microbiota can promote dental caries and increase the likelihood of oral-systemic spread.
What systemic conditions contribute to the possible development of periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is increased by several risk factors: cigarette smoking; systemic diseases; medications such as steroids, anti-epilepsy drugs and cancer therapy drugs; ill-fitting bridges; crooked teeth and loose fillings; pregnancy; and oral contraceptive use.
What is the cause of periodontal disease?
We also know that periodontal disease is linked to diseases such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and certain forms of cancer.
Is your mouth the window to your health?
Your teeth aren’ t “just teeth.”. They are the diamonds of your body and your mouth is the window to your overall health. It is the beginning of your digestive system. From the vantage point of your mouth, we can get an understanding of what is going on inside your body. We now know that bacteria that cause periodontal disease can also cause heart ...
Is it good to be aware of the health risks of your mouth?
If you are concerned that conditions in or around your mouth may be increasing health risk factors, you should consult with a dentist who is trained in oral-systemic healthcare.
Can you get bad breath from halitosis?
In a word, yes ! Bad breath, or halitosis, happens when bacteria and dead skin cells and other organic debris, decay and putrefy, producing sulfur compounds which give the characteristic bad breath smell. These bad-breath chemicals can cause breakdown of delicate gum tissues allowing bacteria and their toxins to enter the gum tissue easier as well as the body’s circulatory system. Chronic bad breath should always be viewed as a bad sign and a risk factor for tissue breakdown and disease. Generally, cosmetic attempts to mask it with standard mouth rinses fall short of what’s needed to cure bad breath and rid oneself of the bacteria which causes it.
Can periodontal disease be prevented?
Periodontal disease can be prevented provided none of the other risk factors are part of the equation with proper home care and consistent visits to your dentist or periodontist. Recent studies are showing that tobacco use could be THE most significant risk factor to periodontal or gum disease.
Can oral contraceptives affect your oral health?
Some of the oral contraceptives, anti-depressants, heart meds, and certain other drugs, can effect your oral health. Your periodontal & dentist should be informed of the drugs you are taking at all times. Some drugs like Statins will also contribute to deplete the body of certain minerals and vitamins and your Oral Systemic practices can help you evaluate those needs too.
Is gum disease a health condition?
No. There are other oral health conditions which have significant impact and consequence to the rest of the body and your general health. We know that gum disease is linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, pregnancy complications, Alzheimer’s, certain cancers, etc. Other conditions include oral cancer, oral airway and sleep apnea, TMJ – headaches & migraines, dental decay, and biocompatibility of dental filling materials (in genetically susceptible individuals). These connections between the mouth and the body highlight the importance of good oral health and dental stability in assuring better general health.
Is periodontal disease a bacterial disease?
Periodontal disease and tooth decay are diseases of bacterial origin. Meticulous oral hygiene, using oral care probiotic to repopulate the beneficial bacteria in the oral cavity, and using antibacterial rinses and solutions are steps you can and should take at home.
How does oral health affect systemic health?
The effects of oral health on systemic health. The oral cavity is the intersection of medicine and dentistry and the window into the general health of a patient. Hundreds of diseases and medications impact the oral cavity, and pathologic conditions in the mouth have a greater systemic impact than many providers appreciate. It is unclear whether ….
What is the oral cavity?
The oral cavity is the intersection of medicine and dentistry and the window into the general health of a patient. Hundreds of diseases and medications impact the oral cavity, and pathologic conditions in the mouth have a greater systemic impact than many providers appreciate. It is unclear whether there is true causality or just an association ...
Is periodontal disease a systemic condition?
It is unclear whether there is true causality or just an association between periodontal disease and certain other systemic conditions, including atherosclerotic vascular disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes, pregnancy-related complications, osteoporosis, and kidney disease.
What are the domains of a healthy practice life?
A Level One Complete Health Dental Practice puts the O 2 mask on themselves first and then on their patients. The five domains of a healthy practice life are physical, financial, mental, social and spiritual.
Is oral systemic health an obligation?
Bringing oral systemic health into today’s dental practice isn’t something to get on board with, it is an obligation that we have as an industry. My dad had a heart attack at 59 that was preventable and is now hanging on by a stent 16 years later. The quality of his life was compromised because he didn’t know what he didn’t know.
What is AAOSH in dentistry?
AAOSH is connecting medicine and dentistry , with members from across the globe and from wide varieties of the healthcare field. Dentists, physicians, dental hygienists, chiropractors, physical therapists, nurses, office staff, orthodontists, and so many more.
What are the benefits of AAOSH?
AAOSH Members gain access to CE credits every month, an entire Core Curriculum library on Oral Systemic Health, discounts on annual session, and more!
