While some people may think that poor oral hygiene will only
affect gums and teeth, a link exists between oral health and your overall
health. One study found
that people with higher levels of plaque — sticky film that contains bacteria
responsible for cavities — were more likely to develop autoimmune diseases in
thirty years.
While many factors can spur autoimmune diseases, like
genetics or hormone levels, the presence of oral inflammation from plaque is
certainly a risk factor. Learn more about what oral inflammation is, how it
affects your overall health, and how to reduce inflammatory responses to manage
and prevent autoimmune issues.
What Is Inflammation?
In layman's terms, inflammation is your body's response when
fighting infections. Your body may increase circulation and release antibodies
and proteins to fight an infection. While temporary inflammation is normal,
chronic inflammation is a problem.
Chronic inflammation is the hallmark of many autoimmune
diseases, or conditions where the body's immune system attacks healthy cells.
If you don't brush and floss regularly and bad oral bacteria thrive in the oral
cavity, you can develop gum disease, an inflammatory condition that can be a
gateway for other negative health conditions.
What Types of Autoimmune Disorders Are Affected by Poor Oral
Health?
While studies haven't shown a direct cause-and-effect link
between autoimmune disorders and oral inflammation, again, there is certainly a
correlation.
For instance, the Arthritis Foundation found that tooth loss
— a marker of inflammatory gum disease — could predict rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its severity. RA is an autoimmune disease
that causes joint inflammation — especially in the ankles, fingers, and wrists.
If you lose more teeth, the greater the risk of RA development.
A study from
the University of Michigan reveals that autoimmune diseases like Crohn's
disease and ulcerative colitis can be exacerbated by poor oral health. In fact,
an imbalance of disease-causing bacteria in the oral cavity could lead to an
imbalance of healthy bacteria in the gut. Gum disease can activate inflammatory
cells (T cells) in the mouth, and these cells can travel to the gut and
aggravate the symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases.
Type 1 diabetes is a type of autoimmune disease where the immune
system damages cells that produce insulin. While poor oral health doesn't cause
diabetes, research indicates
that people with gum disease can’t manage their blood sugar levels as easily.
In short, managing your oral health could possibly reduce
your risk factors of autoimmune diseases or help you reduce symptoms of any
current diseases you may have.
How Can You Improve Your Oral Health to Reduce Inflammation?
If you already have an autoimmune disease, consider the
kinds of medications you take to manage your symptoms. Some medications, like
antihistamines, can reduce your saliva flow. Good saliva flow is important
since saliva neutralizes acids from oral bacteria.
So if your medications cause dry mouth, you may leave your
oral cavity open to inflammation, which, in turn, could exacerbate your
autoimmune disease symptoms. You may want to try alternative medications, or
you could ask your dentist about sugar-free gum brands that can encourage
saliva flow.
If you don't have a good oral routine in place yet, the best
time to start is now. Brushing and flossing are simple tasks that provide a
host of preventative benefits. When you brush and floss each day, you reduce
your levels of bad oral bacteria, keep inflammation in check, and prevent gum
disease and tooth decay.
If you've already developed gingivitis or gum disease, then
you should reach out to your dentist for periodontal treatments. Periodontal
treatments, like scaling and root planing, are beneficial because these
procedures address plaque below the gumline. Once your dentist removes plaque
below the gumline, inflammatory responses in your mouth should decrease.
Reach out to us at Family Dental Care of Wilmington to learn more
about preventative dental care and how your oral health affects your overall
health.
