Dr. Jack Bottner DDS
  • Home
  • Services
  • Staff
    • Dentists
    • Hygienists
    • Assistants
    • Receptionists
  • What's New
  • Forms
  • Dental Information
  • Contact
  • Request an Appointment

Expanding body of research demonstrates link between oral health and overall health

4/9/2014

 
Content from the Oral Health Feature
Published Tuesday, Apr. 08 2014, 9:54 AM EDT
The Globe And Mail

When Toronto dentist Uche Odiatu examines a patient with good oral hygiene whose gums are bleeding more than normal during a cleaning or procedure, he views it as a potential red flag.

“I pay careful attention when I see a patient who is brushing properly, flossing and seeing us three or four times a year and yet has this hyper-inflammatory response,” says Dr. Odiatu. “I often advise him or her to see a medical doctor and have some blood work done, because it could indicate another systemic disease in the body.”

It is all part of the connections between the health of the mouth and the broader health of the body – connections that Dr. Odiatu is passionate about researching and sharing with his patients, as well as with fellow dental professionals and the public.

As an author, international lecturer and adviser to patients in his practice, one of his goals is to raise awareness of the expanding scientific evidence about the role of inflammation in disease.

“Inflammation is a key player in a number of major diseases, including heart disease, cancer, arthritis, other autoimmune diseases and more,” he says. “Almost anything that increases the inflammatory load in the body increases the chances of chronic, degenerative illness – and one of the most prevalent, chronic inflammatory diseases is periodontal disease.”   

The mouth is the gateway to the body, and with the blood vessels in the gums connected to all the blood vessels in the body, bacteria from a poorly cleaned mouth may be carried throughout the bloodstream, explains Dr. Odiatu.

In the case of the patient described earlier, inflamed gums in an otherwise healthy mouth may signal systemic inflammation, which means the person could have or be at risk of developing a systemic illness. There is also compelling evidence that good oral hygiene helps to protect the entire body from illness and contributes to overall health and well-being. Clinical studies have shown that using a power toothbrush – such as the Sonicare, with its two-minute timer – is an easy first step in a healthy direction.

Dr. Odiatu points to a recent study by a large U.S. insurance company, which researched the impact of providing more dental care (professional cleanings and gum care) to 90,000 clients with diabetes. Over three years, the group recorded 33 per cent fewer hospitalizations and 13 per cent fewer physician visits.

This ground-breaking research is a “powerful indicator that if people – in this case, people with diabetes – can reduce inflammation in their mouths, there is less chance they will have medical complications,” he says.

“As dentists and hygienists, I believe we can help people lower the inflammatory burden in their bodies,” adds Dr. Odiatu.

Comments are closed.

    Dr Jack Bottner

    We are accepting new patients! Call us at 519-686-6200


    Like us on Facebook

    Topics

    -Aging
    -March 2023
    -June 2020
    -January 2015

    -Baby Teeth
    -May 2022
    -December 2019
    -June 2018
    -August 2017
    -September 2017
    -August 2016
    -June 2015

    -Brushing for Kids
    -May 2022
    -April 2019
    -October 2016
    -June 2015

    Cannabis
    -February 2019

    Cavities
    -February 2023
    -May 2022
    ​-August 2020
    -September 2019
    -October 2016
    -April 2016
    -September 2016
    -March 2015

    COVID-19
    -July 2021
    -April 2021

    Children's Dental
    -May 2022
    -December 2020
    -December 2019
    -September 2019
    -July 2017
    -September 2016


    Diabetes
    -November 2021
    -June 2020

    -August 2015

    Diet
    -May 2021
    -April 2021
    -February 2021


    Dry Mouth
    -November 2017
    -May 2017
    -November 2016
    ​

    Eating Disorders
    -June 2019

    Endodontics
    -August 2019

    Erosion
    -May 2019

    Flossing
    -December 2018

    Fluoride
    -December 2021
    -September 2018
    ​
    Gum Disease
    -October 2020
    -December 2014
    -April 2014


    Sensitive Teeth
    -November 2020

    Oral Cancer
    ​-January 2019

    Oral Health
    -May 2022
    -January 2022
    ​-January 2020
    -October 2020
    -November 2017
    -October 2017
    -July 2014

    Overall Health
    -December 2021
    -January 2021

    Pregnancy
    -March 2023

    Scaling and Root Planing
    -October 2018

    Snoring
    -March 2021
    -April 2022

    Sports
    -October 2022

    Vaping
    -July 2017
    -August 2016

    Wisdom Teeth
    -September 2017

    Whitening Teeth
    -October 2021

    More topics coming soon!
    ​

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014

Copyright © 2023 Dr. Jack Bottner
Original website by Outdoor Connections
Updated by Andrea Twarowski