Exploring The Inextricable Link Between Oral and Systemic Health

The oral cavity acts as a portal to your entire body. It is home to a plethora of microorganisms, bacteria, fungi, and viruses that have evolved and coexisted with humans for many many years and have been living in harmony in what is called a ‘symbiotic relationship’. They make up the oral microbiome, which plays a significant role in our physiology and well-being. When the delicate balance between health and sickness is disrupted, the oral microbial flora can wreak havoc on your oral health and general well-being. Imbalances in the microbial makeup of your mouth are heavily dependent on your oral hygiene and can contribute to systemic health issues and vice versa. 

People with good oral health possess a microbiome predominantly occupied by gram-positive bacteria. A healthy ecosystem keeps the pathogen microbes in control and keeps them from causing too much harm. In contrast, an abundance of disease-causing gram-negative bacteria resides in those with poor oral hygiene. Neglecting oral care creates the perfect environment for encouraging the growth and manifestation of these disease-causing microbes, increasing the risk for infections, and provoking a systemic immune response. That is when the oral microbiome is said to be in ‘dysbiosis’. 

A dysbiotic oral environment is said to have deleterious effects on general health. Here’s a list of how neglecting oral care can cost you:

Heart Disease

Numerous studies support the notion that poor oral health can lead to cardiovascular events such as stroke or heart attack. The incidence of cardiac problems is considerably higher in people with periodontitis or tooth loss compared to people with good oral health. The bacteria that infect your gums travel through your bloodstream to other areas of your body. Inside the blood vessels, they cause vascular damage and inflammation by releasing endotoxins. Notorious for their reputation as a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis, bacterial endotoxins cause enough damage to the vessel walls that the formation of tiny blood clots and, subsequently, heart attack and stroke become inevitable. 

More information, however, is needed to establish a direct link between cardiovascular disease and oral health. 

Diabetes

The relationship between diabetes and periodontitis is bidirectional. Diabetes weakens the immune system and thus makes you more prone to infections. With the body’s immunity at its lowest, your gums are vulnerable to taking the hit and becoming inflamed.

Studies show that poorly-controlled diabetes, with an HbA1c >7.5%, can make you three times more vulnerable to developing periodontitis than a non-diabetic. Gingivitis and periodontitis are thus more prevalent and severe in people with diabetes. What’s worse is that people with severe periodontitis have a hard time maintaining glycemic control. The flip side is that poor glycemic control can negatively impact oral health and trigger a vicious cycle of periodontal destruction. As a comforting prospect of this daunting situation, we have some good news for you: If your diabetes is well under control, there is no increased risk of periodontitis that faces you.