Monday, April 13, 2009- SPRINGFIELD, MO – Keeping the teeth and gums in good shape can mean more than having a healthy smile; it can be a good indicator of overall health, as well.
For years, researchers have studied the correlation between oral health and general health and the Springfield dental practice Barnett-Davis Dental Group promotes this concept to its patients.
“What goes on in your mouth certainly can be indicative of what’s going on throughout your body,” said Dr. Tracy Davis, one of the Springfield, MO dentists at Barnett-Davis Dental group. “Our primary objective is dental health, but when dealing with periodontal disease, we tell patients how serious it is regarding not only their oral health, but also how it can play into general health issues.”
Everyone’s mouth is filled with bacteria that have the potential to be harmful if it enters the bloodstream, according to an article on the subject published by Mayo Clinic staff in February. However, there is a natural mechanism in place to defend the body against this: saliva.
Saliva not only offers a defense against bacteria, but also against viruses, the Mayo article stated. The enzymes in saliva destroy bacteria in different ways, but saliva doesn’t mean complete protection from bacteria’s harmful effects, Davis said. There are many cases in which harmful bacteria grow in the mouth and lead to periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is caused by plaque that is left to build up on the teeth and gums, according to MedicineNet.com.
Symptoms include:
• Bleeding gums that bleed during and after brushing the teeth
• Gums that are receding
• Swollen, red, or tender gums
• Changes in the way a partial denture fits or in the way the natural teeth fit together when biting or chewing.
• Lingering bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
• Teeth that begin to shift or loosen
• Formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums
Oral bacteria, bacterial toxins, and inflammatory factors are permitted to enter the bloodstream when the gums are unhealthy. This can lead to more serious illnesses, Davis said.
Research has shown that there may be a link between cardiovascular disease- to include stroke, heart disease and clogged arteries- and oral health, according to the Mayo Clinic article. However, more studies are needed to confirm the link with some degree of certainty.
There also is a link between osteoporosis and dental health, as the first stages of bone loss sometimes appear in the teeth. The progressive loss of bone density caused by osteoporosis, including bone in the jaw, may create a condition where the bone that supports the teeth becomes more susceptible to infectious destruction, the Mayo clinic article stated.
“By maintaining routine dental visits and having dental X-rays taken annually, a dentist can determine whether bone loss is occurring,” Davis said. “In some cases, a dentist may recommend that patients speak to their family doctor about being tested for osteoporosis if it appears that the bone loss is continuing.”
Patients with diabetes have an increased risk of cavities, tooth loss, gum disease and dry mouth, the Mayo Clinic article stated. Dry mouth can be detrimental to dental health because it can cause the soft tissues in the mouth to become irritated and more prone to infection. The cleansing effects of saliva help prevent tooth decay and other oral health problems, according to the American Dental Association.
On the other hand, poor oral health can cause diabetes to become more difficult to manage. Infections have been known to cause blood sugar to rise and require more insulin to keep it under control.
The levels of several inflammatory factors are higher in patients that have gum disease, Davis said. One inflammatory factor in particular, C-reactive protein, can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke.
“It may be a question of which came first, the chicken or the egg, but I would definitely recommend improving your oral health in attempt to lower these elevated levels,” Davis said.
There is a close connection between dental health problems and HIV/AIDS, the Mayo Clinic article stated. Common symptoms include dry mouth, ulcers and related painful l lesions. These maladies typically are the result of bacterial, viral or fungal infections.
The article also stated that in some cases, white spots, unusual lesions or severe gum infection may be among the first signs of AIDS.
Although there is some controversy on the subject, some studies have shown that there may be a connection between premature birth and gum disease, Davis said.
“There are some articles that say otherwise, so the jury is still out on that,” she said. “But I believe it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
Davis said it is important to remember that gum disease is an infection below the gum line that can lead to open ulcers.
“The blood supply goes right to that,” she said, “and all the bacteria and bacterial products have access right to your blood stream. What’s going on in your mouth directly relates to what’s going in your body.”
Learn More
If you would like more information on how oral health relates to general health, or you would like more information the Springfield, MO dentistry practice Barnett-Davis Dental Group, please visit their Web site: www.barnettdavisdental.com or call for a free consultation: (417) 581-3600.
About Barnett-Davis Dental Group
Drs. Marc and Kelly Barnett have practiced dentistry in the Ozark since 1984. Kelly graduated Phi Beta Kappa from The University of Kansas and Marc graduated Magna Cum Laude from William Jewell College. They both graduated “with distinction” (in the top 10 percent) from the University of Missouri Dental School in Kansas City.
After graduating, Kelly taught as a professor of clinical dentistry in Kansas City and Marc took extra training in a General Practice Residency at the V.A. Hospital in Kansas City.
Kelly served as the first female president of the Greater Springfield Dental Society and has been a delegate to the Missouri Dental Association. She is vice president of the Board of the OTC hygiene and dental assisting school. Marc serves on the Children’s Smile Center board in Ozark to treat under-privileged children.
Family ties and small town values brought Marc and Kelly to the Ozarks in 1984. Marc practiced dentistry in Nixa and Kelly maintained a solo practice in Ozark for 17 years. In the fall of 2001, they combined their efforts and expertise into one modern, high-tech dental office in Ozark.
Marc and Kelly live in Ozark with their children, Tish and Burke.
Originally from Conway, Missouri, Dr. Tracy Davis moved to the Springfield area in 2004 to be closer to family. She graduated “with dinstinction” from the University of Missouri School of Dentistry in Kansas City. Tracy has received national recognition as a dental researcher.
Tracy and her husband, Matthew, have been married since 1997. They live in Ozark with their four children: Ethan; twins Elijah and Isabella; and Owen.
Tracy loves working with children and knows how to make them feel comfortable at the Ozark dentist’s office.
© 2009 Sinai Marketing and Dr. Tracy Davis. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.
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