The Mouth-Body Connection: Oral Health Equals Body Health

Oral Health Impacts General Health

Bacteria in plaque around teeth are related to the plaque in blood vessels that can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, and risk for stroke. Pregnant women with gum infections may be seven times more likely to have a baby born prematurely, and there is a well-recognized link between diabetes and gum disease. Every dentist knows the association of chronic ear infections with gastric reflux and how stomach acids will destroy teeth, both young and old.

Studies show that over one third of working Americans having long-term relationships with their dentists, yet the surgeon general’s report of 2001 indicates that almost all American adults have dental disease. Despite insurance coverage and regular visits, one out of five people rate their oral health as fair or poor.

Oral Care Products

Unfortunately, many oral care products contain harsh chemicals that damage teeth, even though they may claim to help you. Plaque control or whitening ingredients often make teeth porous and sensitive. Sorbitol, an artificial sweetener in many sugar-free products, may actually thicken plaque bacteria. A recent study shows that almost a quarter of young people aged eighteen to thirty-four have gum disease and say that their teeth hurt when they drink hot or cold beverages.

Patients are blamed for poor flossing or missed dental visits and mistakenly assume that teeth automatically become sensitive, that fillings need repair, or that problems are inherited. None of these are true facts. Sensitivity and soft or weak teeth are always associated with either or both of the following factors: a dry or acidic mouth.

Dental Disease: A Progressive, Destructive Disease

Women in their forties frequently experience hormonal changes that make their mouths drier and more acidic. A dry mouth is like an engine motor without oil, and in an acidic mouth, teeth become vulnerable to wear and breakage. Without the cleansing action of healthy saliva, food and drinks can create conditions that encourage harmful bacteria to flourish.

Mouth acidity dissolves minerals from tooth enamel, making it more porous, more likely to stain, and sensitive to hot and cold. Weak enamel easily flakes away, forming a groove at the gum line or around the edges of fillings. Damaged enamel allows liquids to leak underneath fillings, irritating the nerves inside teeth and setting up infection. Sensitivity, broken fillings, and bad breath are the symptoms of these problems that can lead to root canals, crowns, and gum surgery.

Men with dry or acidic mouths will find that their teeth become brittle and start to wear away. Even after complicated repairs, their gum disease, tartar buildup, and bad breath will continue, and no amount of flossing or dental cleanings will prevent it.

The solution to these painful and expensive problems is twofold: we must (1) stimulate natural tooth repair and (2) protect teeth from dryness and mouth acidity.

Stimulating Natural Tooth Repair

In a moist and healthy mouth, natural tooth repair and healing occur rapidly. Minerals deposit into teeth to keep them strong, supple, and resilient. Even damaged teeth and early cavities can repair themselves if they are bathed in alkaline and mineral-rich saliva.

I suggest finishing meals and snacks with an alkaline or mineral-rich food such as celery, fresh apples, nuts, or dairy products. Evian and Fiji mineral waters create healthy alkaline conditions for tooth repair, as do dairy products and carrot or vegetable juices.

Possibly the easiest way to promote natural tooth repair and protect teeth is to eat a few xylitol mints or gum after every meal, snack, or drink.

Xylitol

Xylitol has been recognized for decades as a safe, delicious, diabetic-friendly sweetener and sugar substitute. Xylitol is found naturally in fruits and vegetables and notably the woody fibers of birch trees. The dental benefit of xylitol is that it stimulates a flow of healthy alkaline saliva into the mouth and also progressively eliminates harmful bacteria to prevent the formation of plaque.

Regular consumption of about six grams of xylitol a day gives dental benefits. Xylitol mints and gum are available on the Internet and in health stores. Unfortunately, some commercial gums, such as Trident, advertise xylitol on the package but contain such small amounts they would be inadequate for tooth healing. Look for xylitol as a main ingredient, and ideally choose 100 percent xylitol products.

Following is a calendar of expected events when you eat xylitol regularly. In four weeks,

* your teeth will feel smoother
* less plaque will build on and around your teeth
* your teeth will feel more comfortable and less sensitive.

In six months,

* most harmful bacteria will have vanished from your saliva and mouth
* people may notice that your teeth are shinier
* your dentist may congratulate you on your oral health.

In one year,

* you may need fewer dental cleanings.

Complete Oral Health

Besides eating xylitol, it is important to select your oral care products carefully and ensure that their chemistry is in harmony with natural healing. Remember that acidic foods and drinks soften teeth, especially if consumed before tooth brushing. An alkaline or balanced prerinse removes mouth acidity to help protect teeth from toothbrush wear or abrasion.

I recommend a sequence of three rinses, used in this specific order:

* a pH-balanced prerinse called Closys, which prepares teeth for brushing
* a simple toothpaste used with a clean, well-designed tooth brush
* an effective antiseptic formulated with essential oils such as Listerine, which prevents early gum disease
* a protective finishing rinse such as ACT fluoride, which gives teeth strength and shine. For those who refuse all fluoride products, I would substitute a xylitol rinse for ACT.

This three-rinse system should be used every night before sleeping and again during the day, if possible. It should be combined with xylitol after all meals and snacks.

This balanced oral care program will allow natural protection and repair to give you the oral health you have dreamed of. No matter what your age or your past experiences with dental disease, try this easy system and enjoy clean, bright, and healthy teeth.

Bibliography

Featherstone, J. D., “The Caries Balance: The Basis for Caries Management by Risk Assessment,” Oral Health and Preventive Dentistry 2 (2004): 259–64.
Geerts S. O., M. Nys, P. De Mol, J. Charpentier, A. Albert, V. Legrand, and E. H. Rompen, “Systemic Release of Endotoxins Induced by Gentle Mastication: Association with Periodontitis Severity,” Journal of Periodontology 73 (2002): 73–78.
Hogg, S. D., and A. J. Rugg-Gunn, “Can the Oral Flora Adapt to Sorbitol?” Journal of Dentistry 19 (1991): 263–71.
Jeffcoat, M. K., J. C. Hauth, and N. C. Geurs, “Periodontal Disease and Pre-term Birth: Results of a Pilot Intervention Study.” Journal of Dental Research 82 (2003): 1214–18.
Mealey, B. L., and T. W. Oates, “Diabetes Mellitus and Periodontal Disease,” Journal of Periodontology 77 (2006): 1289–1303.
Milgrom, P., K. A. Ly, M. C. Roberts, M. Rothern, G. Mueller, and D. K. Yamaguchi, “Mutans Streptococci Dose Response to Xylitol Chewing Gum.” Journal of Dental Research 85 (2006): 177–81.
Nieuw Amerongen, A. V., and E. C. I. Veerman. “Saliva—The Defender of the Oral Cavity.” Oral Diseases 8 (2002): 12–22.
Tweetman, S., L. G. Petersson, and S. Axelsson, “Caries-Preventive Effect of Sodium Fluoride Mouth Rinses: A Systematic Review of Controlled Clinical Trials.” Acta Odontologica Scandinavica 62 (2004): 230–33.

** This article is one of 101 great articles that were published in 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Health. To get complete details on “101 Great Ways to Improve Your Health”, visit http://selfgrowth.com/healthbook3.html

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