Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Over the past 10 years, researchers have uncovered links between oral health and systemic diseases. Many of these connections begin in childhood but become apparent only in adults. Others directly affect children.

Appearing to be the common thread between mouth and body health, inflammation is the result of bacterial infections. For instance, infection of the gums, called periodontitis, can develop in both children and adults. When the gums become infected, chemical signals attract cells of the immune system to the infected site. As the immune system fights the infection, the gums become swollen, painful and bleed easily. The pain and soreness, just like pain from a cavity, can cause children to lose sleep, become distracted at school, eat poorly and develop low self-esteem—all conditions that interfere with school performance. If left untreated, periodontitis also can damage the jawbone, resulting in loose or lost teeth.

Untreated inflammation in the mouth is also thought to stimulate inflammation in the blood vessels. This increases blood pressure and the risk of heart disease and heart attack later in life. The reason for this connection remains under investigation.

Researchers have also found a strong correlation between periodontal disease and type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is a disease in which the body’s ability to convert sugar to energy is impaired. The level of sugar in the blood rises, leading to a myriad of serious health problems. Although diabetes is most often an adult problem, the rate of type 2 diabetes in children has increased substantially, in tandem with the increased rate of childhood obesity.

Researchers are not sure just how periodontitis relates to diabetes. The direction of the causation has not been determined. People with diabetes may be more likely to develop gum infections and vice versa. Preventing and treating periodontal disease is one small way to help people control their diabetes.

Good dental habits, such as eating healthy foods, avoiding excess sugar, brushing and flossing daily, having regular dental visits, and treating tooth decay and gum disease early, help keep the mouth—and the body—healthy.