IT'S ONLY A DENTAL EXAM

It is not uncommon for patients to miss a dental examination and cleaning where the excuse is “it’s only a dental exam”. Research is now showing that it is more than a simple dental examination. Dentists have always been aware of the mouth-to-body connection but historically there has been a “disconnect” with the patient and more often than not, the physicians. This new research is now showing that the health aspect “mouth-to-body” is real and the “disconnect” is harming everyone’s general health.

In normal function, the mouth is the beginning of the digestive process, a process that does not end until the end! The teeth, tongue, cheeks manipulate food, along with saliva, to be chewed into smaller and smaller parts where it is then swallowed for further digestion in the stomach and finally in the small and large intestines. Along this path, this food is exposed to bacteria in the mouth and through-out the digestive tract. All this bacteria, when in its proper place, is considered “good” bacteria.

This initial, step-one oral digestion process can be realized by imagining yourself eating of a deliciously sweet candy bar. As good as it is, you notice that your teeth ache in one area while chewing the candy bar. Why is that? Basically, it is the digestive process of oral bacteria breaking down the sugars in that candy relaesing acids within, as quickly as, a tenth of a second. It is these acids that are causing the tooth sensitivity and later can cause tooth decay and periodontal-gum disease

The saliva in our mouth’s not only serves to lubricate food to swallow but it is also a platform for our normal oral bacteria to live. In our mouths it is estimated that over a billion bacteria live there, made up of over 500 different types. Some of these bacteria types are specific for the mouth and found no where else in the body. In our mouth’s their serve a great function. When found elsewhere they can create health problems.

Case in point. E Coli bacteria has a scary health concern when it hits the news regarding some food poisoning incident. In fact, when E Coli is found in its normal habitat, the intestines, its a normal bacteria functioning to digest foods. When E Coli bacteria contaminates consumable foods or water sources, then serious health problems can occur. E Coli bacteria contamination can begin with severe abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting but later can also cause serious blood problems, kidney failure, urinary tract infections and even death.

That said, our bodies have specific areas for specific bacteria which is true for the mouth. Recent studies are now showing that when oral bacteria finds itself outside the mouth, in our blood stream, significant health problems can occur. The scientific literature has been linking intra-oral bacteria to a number of systemic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, pre-term births, diabetes, and respiratory diseases.

The medical physicians, are just starting to recognize this issue, where cardiologists are now sending potential surgical patients back to their dentists for treatment to avoid any oral-to-heart infections that would result in surgical failure and even death. Some might think “It’s only some minor gum disease. Why such a big deal”? Let me put this into simple visual perspective.

A patient has an staph skin infection the size of the palm of their hand on their arm, leg or torso. They complain of fatigue, red & swollen skin around the infection which can later progress to a bacteremia (bacteria in the blood) to even a life-threatening infection of the inner lining of your heart that can result in heart failure. That is how serious a medical physician would take a palm-sized skin infection treating it quickly by cleaning the area while using topical and systemic antibiotics.

Now imagine the surface periodontal-gum area around your teeth. This area is equal to the area of the palm of your hand! Periodontal-gum disease is the #1 disease in the world, surpassing heart disease, AIDS and cancer. With periodontal-gum disease being so prevalent, it is no wonder that physicians are paying more attention to the bacterial infection connection between the mouth and the body. How often have physicians performed diagnostic blood work finding an elevated white blood cell count but can not find the infection source. Rarely do physicians perform an initial periodontal screening either visually, with instrumentation or refer to the dentist for their diagnostic opinion but this will hopefully change.

Treating general health diseases can be very costly. Now, consider that earlier skin staph infection that maybe just caused a heart infection that led to a heart attack. The years of cost to treat that heart attack can be several hundreds of thousands of dollars often with a questionable outcome. Now imagine that a periodontal-gum infection was part of that heart infection that led to a heart attack. The cost of an average toothbrush is about $7.00 and if used properly can have a very predictable and positive outcome. The positive of aspects of a good toothbrush and oral hygiene is self-evident with improved health and saving money, $7 versus $100,000-plus.

When we neglect the mouth, and periodontal-gum infections, then who suffers? The patient does. We now know that often a patient’s health is directly related to any periodontal-gum infections. Knowing all this, there are two pro-active approaches.

First, get your dentist and physician involved in your health care. Ask questions. Get answers and then seek dental treatment, when necessary. Second, get more involved in your own personal oral health. If you think “It’s only a dental exam”, then start taking a more pro-active attitude knowing that your oral health is intimately involved in your general health. You will look at your toothbrush in a completely different way as a healthy habit and a money saver.

1,372 words