Volume 18, No. 1, Winter 2010
By George Heufelder, MS, RS, Director,
Barnstable County Department of Health & Environment
Today, I would like to encourage making a recommitment to oral health.
The advantages might appear obvious since teeth not only help with that first part of the digestive process, but they also influence the way we look, speak and, in general, facilitate our wellbeing and enjoyment of life. Plus the avoidance of costly and painful long-term problems.
There also is mounting evidence of a strong link between dental and general systemic health. In short, oral health and general health are inseparable.
Oral health means more than just good teeth. A thorough checkup should include at least teeth, gums, supporting tissue, and mucosal lining in the mouth. This can detect signs of nutritional deficiencies, injuries, some forms of cancer and infections.
The first thing most folks think about is gum disease. Approximately 80 percent of our adult population has some form of gum disease, nearly all of it reversible. Infections range from minor inflammation to a major condition called periodontitis.
The minor conditions in most cases can be reversed by brushing and flossing in conjunction with regular intervention by a dentist. However, as infections progress unattended, there is mounting evidence that other body systems can be affected. A recent study has found that men younger than 60 with severe periodontitis had a 4.3 times higher risk of experiencing stroke than those with mild or no periodontitis. This suggests a relationship between the plaque-forming bacteria in the mouth and formation of plaque in arteries.
For diabetics, this condition may create a higher risk for gum disease, particularly if blood-glucose levels are poorly controlled. Extra home-care vigilance and a visit to the dental hygienist every six months is the key to prevention. Research also indicates that the diabetes-gum disease relationship is a two-way street: gum disease can affect blood glucose control that contributes to the progression of diabetes.
In pregnancy, hormonal changes often cause a challenge to oral health. Gingivitis (commonly called “pregnancy gingivitis”), a milder form of gum infection than periodontitis, is the most common oral condition. It is caused by the increase in estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy. The message here is that dental checkups and oral care should be an important part of pre-natal care.
It is never too early to think about good oral health for children. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that infants start dental exams within six months of getting their first tooth or their first birthday. Future regular visits should be based on the child's needs.
The American Dental Association has declared February as National Children’s’ Dental Health Month, so this may be a good time to get your little ones off to a good start. Each year it is estimated that over 51 million hours of school are lost to dental health issues. Poor oral health in children is related to poor academic performance, poor social relationships and generally poorer health. Again—oral health and general health are inseparable.
While writing this article I was scheduled for a much overdue cleaning of my teeth. I questioned the hygienist about the importance of flossing to remove plaque. She smiled and replied, “I tell all my patients that they don’t have to floss all their teeth—just the ones that they want to keep.”