Patient Education

The Oral-Systemic Relationship

An Oral-Systemic Relationship is the involvement and connection between the mouth and the rest of the body. It should come as no surprise that our oral health has a great deal to do with our overall wellbeing. We ingest and inhale everything from foods and beverages to bacteria and airborne toxins through our mouth. Therefore, if a patient’s oral health is poor, chances are the problems don’t end there.

Dry Mouth is very common among the elderly and often goes untreated and undiagnosed in nursing facilities. Dry mouth contributes to improper digestion, burning tongue, oral yeast infections, breakdown of fillings, and rampant tooth decay. Early diagnosis and simple treatment can eliminate many of these unfortunate complications.

Poor oral conditions can also cause an increase in plaque buildup, which can get into the lungs, causing a life-threatening condition known as aspiration pneumonia. The bacteria associated with gum infection (red, puffy gums) can enter the bloodstream and stimulate clotting or damage the lining of the blood vessels, which can lead to stroke.

Neglecting oral health can also lead to cardiovascular or heart disease, as biofilm and bacteria from plaque may enter the bloodstream and attach to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries. Gum disease can increase blood sugar, putting patients with diabetes at an increased risk for many health complications.

There’s no denying the connection between oral and bodily health. That’s where LifeCycle Dental comes in. We strive to keep elderly patients receiving long-term care with conservative, expert dental care with the hope that we can reduce their pain and give them a better quality of life through improved oral health.

To learn more, check out our Frequently Asked Questions, or give us a call.

We provide our services to any long term care facility within a 40 mile radius of our Fort Worth headquarters. Call our office today to learn more about how you can implement our comprehensive dental program into your long term care offering.