The Mouth Body Connection

Copyright (c) 2010 Thomas Streko

Your Dental Health Isn't Just About Your Teeth

What does your mouth say about you? You might be surprised. Your dental health doesn't just provide clues to how well you take care of your teeth. It can also alert your dentist to other problems going on inside your body that might seem, on the surface, to have absolutely nothing to do with your teeth and gums. We call this link the "mouth-body connection" - and thanks to modern dental science, it's fast evolving into a major diagnostic tool.

The condition of your teeth and gums can offer a lot of insight into what's going on in the rest of your body. For example, if you visit your dentist's office complaining of bleeding gums or infections, your symptoms could be an indication of more than just periodontal disease. If could indicate diabetes. Since diabetes reduces your body's ability to fight infection, infections in your mouth could be the first sign of a more serious underlying condition.

And the mouth-body connection is just as important when it's reversed. Just as oral infections may be a sign of diabetes, the difficulty fighting infection associated with diabetes also makes controlling periodontal disease that much more difficult. This is where your partnership with your dentist can be especially important. He or she can help you manage bacteria levels in your mouth, which will in turn keep the rest of your body stronger.

Another possible mouth-body connection may link gingivitis with heart disease - at least according to the American Heart Association. While they aren't sure exactly how or why it happens, they have seen that people who suffer from gum disease have a greater chance of developing heart disease. Which makes proper dental care that much more important.

If your teeth are becoming loose or falling out, gum disease may not be the only culprit. Dentists are now discovering that the degenerative disease osteoporosis, which causes bone loss, can also affect your jawbone. In fact, women with osteoporosis are three times more likely to lose teeth than women with healthy bones.

In fact, women are more likely than men to suffer from dental problems simply because they're female - the hormonal fluctuations associated with puberty, pregnancy and menopause make women that much more susceptible to gum disease - because high hormone levels appear to make the body more sensitive to bacteria. This is especially important to know because women with periodontal disease are more likely to experience premature birth, and their babies more likely to suffer from low birth weight.

So what does this all mean for you, as a patient? The most important thing to remember is that a healthy mouth is part of a healthy body - and when one suffers, the other is likely to as well. Conversely, by sticking to a regimen of proper dental care, you're not only insuring your dental health, but making sure your entire body stays healthy as well.


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Westfield, New Jersey cosmetic dentist Dr. Thomas Streko can help you maintain your optimal dental and overall health, and perform the cosmetic treatments to help create your perfect smile. Find out more about Dr. Streko's practice at http://www.drstreko.com or call his office at 866-512-7885.