While dental issues themselves can be tremendously inconvenient—no one enjoys getting tooth fillings for cavities, or root canal therapy—problems in the mouth can actually be signs of more serious health conditions. The dental and medical fields call this phenomenon the "oral systemic link," emphasizing that a whole host of illnesses may be reflected in unhealthy and diseased gums. This is why Rachel E. Gold D.M.D. of Total Health Dentistry in Cold Spring, Kentucky provides a full tissue examination of every patient she sees.

So what can the state of your gums say about the state of your overall health? In her examinations, Dr. Gold is able to see possible signs of several major health conditions, including:

• Diabetes: Nearly one third of people with diabetes don’t know they have it, but the tell-tale sign in the mouth is the presence of gum disease. Since diabetes impairs the ability of the body to heal, unhealthy and infected gums will often result from it.
• Heart Disease: According to the American Academy of Periodontology, people with periodontal disease are twice as likely to suffer from heart disease. One theory as to how this works is that bacteria from the mouth may attach to the plaques that clog the arteries; another theory is that oral inflammation contributes to the build up of these plaques. While more research needs to be done, the association between these two conditions is undisputed.
• Premature Birth: Because of a pregnant mother’s bodily reactions to bacteria associated with periodontal disease, hormones are released which have the potential to cause early labor.
• Other Conditions: Though the exact relationships have yet to be fully understood, higher rates of periodontal disease are also found in those with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Essentially, since the mouth acts as a gateway to the rest of the body, problems in that area can indicate more serious health issues. This is why it’s terribly important to regularly visit the dentist—it’s not just your smile at stake. If you’d like to find out more about these connections, and about Dr. Gold’s approach to dentistry as part of overall health, check out Total Health Dentistry’s website or call (859) 441-1230.