Cooperative Living March/April 2018 - 22

HealthyTake | by Jennifer Soong, Contributing Writer
How oral health affects your
overall wellness
B
rushing, flossing and regular visits
to the dentist can protect you from
far more than cavities. When 50-yearold
Joanne Maglares visited her dentist for
a broken tooth from chewing on ice, she
had no inkling that her overall health was
in jeopardy. The mother of four held a fulltime
job and was so consumed with work
and family that she often ignored her
own well-being.
But her dentist took one look at her
mouth, noticed multiple tooth fractures
and rapidly advancing gum (periodontal)
disease, and surmised that she had an
underlying health problem.
" Those were red flags that something
was not right, " says her dentist, Maria
Ryan, DDS, Ph.D., a professor of oral
biology and pathology at Stony Brook
University's School of Dental Medicine.
Ryan urged Maglares to visit her primary
care doctor to get to the root of the
problem. She was diagnosed and treated
for high blood pressure and anemia. Five
months later, she suffered a massive
heart attack.
Researchers have long known about
the relationship between oral health and
overall wellness. Gum disease is linked to
a host of illnesses, including heart disease,
diabetes, respiratory disease, osteoporosis
and rheumatoid arthritis. After reviewing
1,000 medical histories, researchers at the
University of North Carolina's School of
Dentistry found that people with gum
disease were twice as likely to die from a
heart attack and three times as likely to
have a stroke.
Gum disease is the most common
chronic inflammatory condition in the
world, yet it's often a silent disease. Why?
The mouth can act as a portal of entry for
an infection, says Salomon Amar, DMD,
Ph.D., professor at the Center for Antiinflammatory
Therapeutics at Boston
University's School of Dental Medicine.
Ongoing inflammation in your mouth can
allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream,
leading to inflammation in other parts of
your body.
Some studies point to a reciprocal
relationship between gum disease
and diabetes.
" When you treat and control diabetes,
immediately the condition in the mouth
improves. And when you treat periodontal
disease, the need for insulin is reduced, "
Amar says.
Maglares' story has a happy ending. She
is on the road to recovery and indebted to
her dentist. " If I hadn't gone to Dr. Ryan, I
don't know if I'd be alive today. I pay a lot
more attention to my teeth and gums. I
believe it's all connected. " 
Jennifer Soong is a freelance writer who
frequently covers health, wellness and lifestyle trends.
Preventing Gum Disease:
Research indicates that from 30 to 50 percent of American adults have mild to moderate gum disease. In addition to twice-daily
brushing and flossing, follow these five steps to keep your teeth and gums healthy:
1. Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once a day.
2. Cut down on sugary foods and drinks, which contribute to tooth decay.
3. Don't smoke or chew tobacco, which can stain your teeth, give you bad breath and cause cancer.
4. Wear the right protective headgear while playing contact sports.
5. See your dentist every six months for regular check-ups and cleanings.
Source: www.webmd.com
20 | Cooperative Living | March-April 2018
www.co-opliving.com
Gum disease
is linked
to a host
of illnesses ...

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Cooperative Living March/April 2018

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