Oral and Systemic Health

Oral and systemic health are closely related. Abnormalities in the oral cavity can affect the systemic health, growth, and development of children. Likewise, systemic conditions or their treatments can affect the oral cavity or the feasibility of delivering dental care.

The oral conditions that affect systemic health and the systemic conditions that affect oral health and/or the delivery of dental treatment are reviewed here. The oral manifestations of systemic, genetic, or infectious disease are described in the topic reviews for those conditions.

The oral cavity plays an important role in nutrition, speech, and facial appearance. Each of these functions may be affected by abnormalities in the oral cavity. Children with cleft lip and palate, for example, have difficulty feeding and require speech therapy. In addition, they are at risk for long-term psychosocial effects. Dental caries is the most common oral condition that affects systemic health and nutritional status. Moderate or severe caries, particularly in young children, may affect growth and development.

For a long time it was thought that bacteria was the factor that linked periodontal disease to other infections in the body. However, more recent research demonstrates that inflammation may link periodontal disease to other chronic conditions.

Research has shown that there is an association between periodontal diseases and other chronic inflammatory conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, treating inflammation may not only help manage periodontal diseases but may also help with the management of other chronic inflammatory conditions.

When an inflammatory condition is suspected or diagnosed, it is important to consult with both a general physician and a dental health professional. Sometimes the only way to detect periodontal diseases is through a periodontal evaluation. A periodontal evaluation may be especially important if you have a high risk for periodontal diseases, have heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease or osteoporosis, or if you are thinking of becoming pregnant, or if you have a family member with periodontal disease. Research suggests that the bacteria that cause periodontal disease can pass through saliva. This means the common contact of saliva in families puts children and couples at risk for contracting the periodontal disease of another family member. You may also need an evaluation if you have a sore or irritation in your mouth that does not get better within two weeks.