Dentists obviously place a lot of importance on good oral hygiene routines. The truth, however, is that we sometimes wished other health care providers did too. Dental health is intertwined with many other biological systems in the body, and when it suffers, it can have an effect that goes well beyond the health of your mouth alone.
For our blog post this week, we tracked down three reputable studies that linked serious illnesses to poor oral hygiene routines and bad dental health. Remember these next time you think it won't be harmful to skip flossing:
Harvard School of Public Health Finds Link between Gum Disease and Pancreatic Cancer
In 2007, the Harvard School of Public Health released their findings on a study that examined an association between gum inflammation linked to periodontal disease and pancreatic cancer. They found that although gingivitis did not appear to be linked to an increased risk of cancer, periodontitis—what gingivitis eventually becomes—did appear to be associated with a greater risk of pancreatic cancer. Subjects from the study that had lost teeth as a result of periodontitis were at the greatest risk.
Alzheimer's Disease Linked to Gum Inflammation in NYU Study
In 2010, New York University released a 20-year study that concluded there was a link between gum inflammation and Alzheimer's disease. Researchers studied subjects at 50 and 70 years of age and found that many afflicted with gum disease also scored low on cognitive functioning tests. This research supports another study we reported on that found a link between tooth loss and loss of cognitive ability.
Universities in the Ireland and UK Find Association between Dental Hygiene and Heart Disease
Universities in the UK and Ireland found that subjects they studied, who had bleeding gums from poor oral hygiene, were also at higher risk for heart disease—currently the biggest killer in America. This occurs because bacteria from a person's mouth are able to stick to blood platelets once they enter the bloodstream. They bunch up together and interrupt the flow of blood to the heart, which can cause cardiac arrest. This association is still being studied, but it definitely highlights the important of keeping your mouth clean and healthy.
Thanks for Reading!
These health risks aren't meant to scare you; they're meant to remind you how important your oral health is in terms of your overall well-being. We hope you find these links interesting and we hope you take away that your health is much more than eating right and getting a little exercise from time to time. If you enjoy our blog, please like or share our Facebook page and help us spread the word!