A dental exam is a checkup of your teeth and gums. This may seem boring and mundane, but according to many health experts what happens in your mouth may mean more than you think. It may, in fact, be an indication of your overall health. Like other areas of your body, your mouth contains bacteria. Because your mouth is the entry point to your digestive and respiratory tracts what may be going on in your mouth may make its way to other parts of your body. Though more studies are needed, some of the research suggests that bacteria and inflammation from periodontitis (gum disease) might contribute to various diseases and conditions, including:

 

• Endocarditis. An infection of the inner lining of your heart chambers or valves. This often occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of your body, such as your mouth, spread through your bloodstream and attach to certain areas in your heart. 

 

• Cardiovascular Disease. Although the connection is not fully understood, some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries, and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause.

 

• Pregnancy and Birth Complications. Periodontitis has been linked to premature birth and low birth weights.

 

• Pneumonia. Certain bacteria in your mouth can be pulled into your lungs, causing pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.

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Conditions that might affect your oral health, include:

• Diabetes. By reducing the body's resistance to infection, diabetes puts your gums at risk. Gum disease appears to be more frequent and severe among people who have diabetes. Research shows that people who have gum disease have a harder time controlling their blood sugar levels. Regular periodontal care can improve diabetes control.

 

• HIV/AIDS. Oral problems, such as painful mucosal lesions, are common in people who have HIV/AIDS.

 

• Osteoporosis. This bone-weakening disease is linked with periodontal bone loss and tooth loss. Certain drugs used to treat osteoporosis carry a small risk of damage to the bones of the jaw.

 

• Alzheimer's disease. Worsening oral health is seen as Alzheimer's disease progresses.

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Medications you take also play a part in your overall health:

Certain medications, such as decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers, diuretics, and antidepressants can reduce saliva flow. Saliva washes away food and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, helping to protect you from microbes that multiply and lead to disease.

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Long ago William Shakespeare said: “The eyes are the window to your soul.”   

 

Today, researchers might say: “The mouth is the window to your overall health.”

 

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