Mouth-Body Connection

Recently Answered

• QDoes low calcium cause oral health problems in women?

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  A RealAge answered

  Low calcium levels are uncommon in women, but when it happens, calcium deficiency may be related to inflammation of gum tissue surrounding the teeth. Nursing mothers, menopausal women, women who are very athletic, and women with lactose intolerance may be at risk of not getting enough calcium in their diets. Also, vegetarians are at risk of not getting enough vitamin D or calcium, which might increase the risk of decay and periodontal disease. Vegetarians may have low calcium levels if they consume a lot of plant products that have phytic and oxalic acid, which can interfere with calcium absorption in the body. Low calcium can also cause muscle cramps, fatigue, lack of appetite, abnormal heart rhythms and numbness in the extremities.

  Be sure to get enough calcium in your diet and/or with supplements, but don't overdo it. There can be serious health risks if you supplement with too much calcium. This can cause a blood condition called hypercalcemia that can harm your kidneys. If you take too much calcium, your body might not be able to absorb other minerals that you need. Most of the time, however, hypercalcemia is due to thyroid problems. The US Office of Dietary Supplements recommends that women take no more than 2,500 mg of calcium a day.

• QHow can dental problems indicate diseases elsewhere in the body?

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  A UCLA Health answered

  David Wong, D.M.D., D.M.Sc., professor and associate dean of research at the UCLA School of Dentistry notes that systemic diseases such as HIV and osteoporosis are often first detected through symptoms in the mouth -- the appearance of hairy tongue and severe gum infection in the case of HIV and the first stages of bone loss for osteoporosis. Gum disease and other mouth infections can also contribute to problems elsewhere in the body. Gum disease has been linked in studies to a higher risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as premature birth. Poor oral health can also make diabetes more difficult to control.
• QHow can dentists help improve overall health?

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  A UCLA Health answered

  The connection between oral health and overall health underscores the importance of thorough brushing and flossing of teeth as well as making regular visits to the dentist, David Wong, D.M.D., D.M.Sc., professor and associate dean of research at the UCLA School of Dentistry, says. But beyond that, since adults tend to visit a dentist’s office more frequently than a physician’s office, there is a movement to expand the role of the dentist to include routine blood pressure measurements to detect cardiovascular abnormalities, as well as glucose monitoring for individuals at risk for diabetes. “One-fourth of people with diabetes are not diagnosed, and there are more than 20 million people who are prediabetic,” Dr. Wong notes. “Dentists can be a major contributor as a partner with the medical community in conducting screenings and evaluations for diabetes and a number of other life-threatening diseases.”
• QHow does dental health affect overall health in the elderly?

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  A UCLA Health answered

  The connection between dental health and overall health can clearly be seen among the elderly. “Oral health is often a contributor to functional decline in elderly patients,” says UCLA geriatrician Brandon Koretz, M.D. Medicare doesn’t cover dental appointments, so many elderly people go without or postpone treatment, which can cause minor problems to worsen. Dental problems in the older population can contribute to eating deficiencies and weight loss, leading to functional declines, Dr. Koretz adds. Moreover, for the frailest patients, including those with dementia, certain types of dental care can be difficult to provide. “This can lead to progression of dental problems that could easily be addressed if treated at an early stage,” Dr. Koretz says.
• QCould my oral health issues be a sign of something more serious?

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  A American Dental Association answered

  Systemic diseases, those that affect the entire body, may first become apparent because of mouth lesions or other oral problems. It can show signs of nutritional deficiencies or general infection. Your mouth is a window into the health of your body.

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• QIs there a link between periodontal disease and other health problems?

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  A American Dental Association answered

  Studies indicate that severe gum disease may be associated with several other health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or stroke. However, saying that two conditions are associated is not the same as saying that one causes the other. It only means that some studies have shown that more people with gum disease experience one of the conditions mentioned above than people without gum disease. This finding could be the result of another factor, like smoking. For example, people who smoke are at higher risk for heart disease, stroke and cancer as well as gum disease. Well-designed clinical trials are needed to establish whether a cause-and-effect relationship exists and to determine if, or how, treating gum disease may affect your overall health.

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• QCan my teen's eating disorder affect her teeth?

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  A American Dental Association answered

  Eating disorders can definitely affect your teen's oral health. Without the proper nutrition, gums and other soft tissue inside the mouth may bleed more easily and the glands that produce saliva may swell. If your teen suffers from bulimia, throwing up frequently can also affect the teeth because when strong stomach acid repeatedly flow, enamel can be lost to the point that the teeth change in color, shape and length. The edges of teeth become thin and/or break off easily. Eating hot or cold food or drink may become uncomfortable.
  
  If you suspect your teen has an eating disorder, talk to his or her physician. You should also seek guidance from health professionals trained in eating disorders and consider contacting the National Eating Disorders Associations for information on how to support your child.

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• QCan birth control pills affect my oral health?

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  A RealAge answered

  Birth control pills, or oral contraceptives, may increase inflammation of the gums. Past research, however, measured oral contraceptives that used much higher hormone doses, so it is possible that today's oral contraceptives may not have as much effect.

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• QHow does oral health affect aging?

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  A Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answered

  Floss and brush daily. Gingivitis and periodontal disease cause aging of the immune and arterial systems. We do not know exactly why gum disease causes aging, but we do know with certainty that it does. For example, a 55-year-old man free of periodontal disease has a RealAge (physiologic age) that is 2 years younger than his peer who has gingivitis, and 4 years younger than his peer who has full-blown periodontal disease. See a dental professional every six months, or more often if advised to do so, to have your gums checked and cared for. Regular professional dental and dental hygienist care is also necessary to prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease.

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• QWhen do routine dental visits become crucial?

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  A American Dental Association answered

  Regular dental visits are important for everyone because the mouth is a window into the health of your body. Dental disease is almost entirely preventable and untreated dental disease can lead to serious health problems such as infection, damage to bone or nerve, and tooth loss. Infection from tooth disease can even spread to other parts of the body and in rare cases, can lead to death.

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