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Sunday
Jan082012

Oral Health and General Health--the Connection »

Did you know that poor oral health can affect general health?  Cavities, abscesses, and painful sores make it difficult to eat and obtain good nutrition.  Seniors who suffer from poor oral health are more likely to lose weight due to poor nutrient intake.  They may be self-conscious about eating in groups, and lose their desire to be sociable.  Additionally, periodontal disease (gum disease) has been linked with many inflammatory conditions in other parts of the body.  Here are a few examples:  

Periodontal disease is associated with…   
Cardiovascular health
Risk of stroke
Increased risk of cardiovascular disease and of suffering a fatal heart attack
Diabetes (uncontrolled)
Periodontal disease interrupts diabetic control 
Respiratory infections
Inhalation/aspiration of bacteria from the oral cavity can result in pneumonia
Pregnancy outcomes
Giving birth to a pre-term low birthweight baby

Additionally, general health can impact oral health as follows…
  • Medications
  • Many medications cause dry mouth as a side effect
  • Dry mouth affects a person’s ability to taste and chew and swallow food
  • Dry mouth makes the mouth more susceptible to infections, and the teeth are at a high risk of developing cavities
  • Diabetes, type II
  • Those with diabetes, type II are 3 times more likely to get periodontal disease than nondiabetics
  • Diabetics who smoke are at an increased risk of tooth loss (20 times)
You can find out more information at the website of the American Academy of Periodontology