Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body: A Patient Info Sheet by Jonathan Levine, DMD



Dentists know—better than most—the critical connection between the mouth and the body. Oral inflammation and bacteria are linked to various systemic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and some cancers. It makes sense, but how can we make our patients understand the oral/body connection?

We can start with facts: oral bacteria have been linked to the plaque in the arteries of heart attack victims, and also found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. It is theorized that periodontal inflammation can elevate inflammation throughout the body—a precursor to heart disease.

The link between gum disease (which affects 50 percent of the U.S. population, and increases to 70 percent for those over the age of 65) and diabetes goes both ways. Diabetics are more prone to infection, making the gum tissue more susceptible to the plaque in the mouth. Research also suggests that inflammation can act as a catalyst for insulin resistance, a precursor to Type 2 diabetes. Expectant mothers are also at risk: some studies suggest that inflammation in the mouth may play a part in triggering pre-term labor.

These findings are grim, but it's our duty to share them with our patients. Below, you'll find some simple steps to share with your patients to help them keep both mouth and body healthy.





Dr. Jonathan B. Levine is program director of the CE Advanced Aesthetics Program at the NYU School of Dentistry. A specialist in prosthodontics in clinical practice for nearly 30 years, Levine and his team offer a comprehensive approach to dental health, intersecting beauty with function. Levine is a product inventor, founder of GLO Science, clinical researcher, published author and philanthropist. He holds 10 patents and 15 patents pending in oral care.



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