How Your Oral Health Can Threaten Other Systems in the Body

1. HOW YOUR ORAL HEALTH CAN THREATEN OTHER SYSTEMS IN THE BODY The oral cavity is considered to be the window to overall health. It is the most-accessible entry point for pathogens and hosts ~700 types of pathogens. These eventually enter the bloodstream and affect different systems in the body. So, apart from oral health-related consequences such as tooth loss and reduced chewing efficiency, impaired oral health also impacts the systemic health of an individual. The presence of oral conditions such as periodontal disease and dental caries (decay) have serious implications on the systemic health of an individual. As bacteria multiply, they produce a complex protective layer known as biofilm (plaque). The presence of biofilm on gums may cause gingivitis (inflammation of gums) and periodontitis (inflammation of tissues supporting teeth) which leads to bone loss and eventual loosening of teeth. Bacteria also ferment the food present on the tooth surface, producing acids that demineralize the tooth structure and result in caries. Research suggests that these oral diseases can affect systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, pulmonary disease, osteoporosis, and chronic kidney disease and may produce adverse pregnancy outcomes. So, it is important to understand the relationship between oral diseases and systemic conditions and create awareness about adequate preventive measures. Below are the systemic diseases related to oral health: CARDIOVASCULAR AND CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASE

2. ● People with gum disease are two to three times more likely to be at risk of having heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular (coronary heart disease) and cerebrovascular diseases (stroke) are primarily caused by Atherosclerosis (narrowing of blood vessels due to accumulation of cholesterol and its products). Research suggests that oral health is poorer in individuals with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases when compared to healthy individuals. Proposed mechanism linking periodontal disease with cardio and cerebrovascular diseases: ○ The presence of periodontal infection allows the entry of bacteria from the diseased gums into the blood. These bacteria eventually invade the heart and blood vessels causing harmful effects. ○ The body reacts to periodontal infection by producing inflammatory mediators (e.g., Interleukins 1,6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor). These mediators travel through the blood and enter the heart and blood vessels, causing harmful effects. ○ The release of harmful bacterial products (e.g., endotoxins) into the blood has damaging effects on the heart and blood vessels. Researchers have reported that improvement in oral health lessens the risk of cardiovascular diseases. ● ● ● PULMONARY DISEASES ● The presence of pulmonary diseases such as pneumonia (infection of air sacs of lungs), chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD: Chronic lung disease obstructing airflow), and bronchitis (inflammation of tube carrying air to lungs) involves aspiration (breathing in) of bacteria from the throat into the respiratory tract causing respiratory infection. Proposed mechanisms linking oral diseases with pulmonary disease: ○ In individuals with periodontal disease and decay, the oral cavity serves as the reservoir of harmful bacteria. These pathogens contaminate the saliva and enter the lungs, causing infection in systemically weak patients. ○ The presence of periodontal disease releases inflammatory mediators in the saliva. These mediators, when aspirated, may change the structure of the respiratory lining (inner skin), promoting the multiplication of pathogens in the lungs resulting in lung infections. Research suggests that improving oral hygiene in critically ill patients decreases the risk of developing pneumonia. ● ● Article Source : https://myacare.com/en/mya-blog/how-your-oral-health-can-threaten-other-systems-in-the-body