Oral Bacteria can effect your heart, or even your unborn child.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a full menu of diseases can result from poor dental care, including endocarditis (an infection of the inner lining of the heart), cardiovascular disease (clogged arteries and stroke may be linked to oral bacteria), and premature birth and low birth weight babies, to name a few.

 

Oral bacteria causing infections in gum tissue may threaten more than your teeth and gums. Research has established associations between oral bacteria and systemic diseases including:

Type 2 Diabetes Heart Disease Respiratory Disease Blood Clots Strokes Preterm and Low Birth Weight Babies Chronic Inflammation

Image of biofilm from a periodontal pocket.

The theories linking oral bacteria to other diseases explain that the mouth may be a portal for bacteria to spread to the rest of your body.
If you have been diagnosed with gum disease for example, pathogenic bacteria are likely forming colonies that cause localized inflammation and damage in your gum tissue. Those bacteria may enter the blood stream through small ulcers in your gum tissue.
ASSESSING YOUR RISK FACTORS FOR DISEASE
People who have a family history of disease may be genetically predisposed and need to discuss ways to protect their health with their doctor. It is important for everyone to eat right, not smoke, and take care of their oral health.
Heart Disease, Stroke, Hardening of the Arteries (atherosclerosis)
Once oral bacteria enter the body, they may cause inflammation, which in combination with fat deposits can lead to a build up of plaque clogging blood flow and to a build up of blood platelets causing blood clots. These conditions may be responsible for heart attacks, strokes, and other dangerous health conditions.
Diabetes
Controlling gum disease has a positive effect in controlling diabetes. Diabetic patients with gum disease have a higher blood sugar level and require more medication to manage their diabetes. When the gum disease was treated, the blood sugar levels decreased and stayed lower for 3 months.
Respiratory Disease
The bacteria present in gum disease have also been located in lung tissue in patients with lung abscesses. Biopsies of the diseased lung tissue found the same bacteria that are present in the gum disease.
Alzheimer’s Disease
The bacteria associated with Alzheimer’s Disease have been isolated in the periodontal pockets and along the nerves from the teeth to the brain tissue. When these bacteria are introduced into brain cultures, beta amyloid is formed, which is the substance that is a cause of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Pre-term and Low Birth Weight Babies
Pregnant women also have an increased incidence of gum disease. It has been demonstrated that an inflammatory product caused by the bacterial gum infection can cause a woman’s uterus to contract. Pregnant women with gum disease have a 57% incidence of low birth weight babies and a 50% greater incidence of preterm deliveries. Researchers continue to examine these correlations to determine the relationship between gum disease and pregnancy.
As research continues, it is important to understand that oral bacterial infections are serious and that they should be treated. Please talk to your doctor about the best treatment options for you.