{"id":8766,"date":"2021-03-16T22:46:38","date_gmt":"2021-03-16T22:46:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myholisticdentist.com\/?p=8766"},"modified":"2022-11-03T15:37:08","modified_gmt":"2022-11-03T15:37:08","slug":"dr-os-anti-inflammatory-blueprint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myholisticdentist.com\/2021\/03\/16\/dr-os-anti-inflammatory-blueprint\/","title":{"rendered":"Oral Systemic Health – Why It Matters"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Dr O’s Anti-Inflammatory Blueprint<\/h1>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A Holistic Way to Support Teeth & Gums <\/strong><\/h1>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\"How<\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Why Oral Health is So Important\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In this post we discuss a unique model of prevention, treatment and maintenance that you will not find anywhere else. In order to maintain oral health it\u2019s important to understand how the mouth works and how it heals. We also discuss what to do before, during and after treatment to maintain and\/or restore oral health. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

We will focus on gum disease, because it is an inflammatory disease of the mouth that mirrors the inflammatory condition of the body as a whole. It is a two way, or bi-directional relationship. inflammation of the mouth mirrors and contributes to the inflammation of the body. Conversely, the inflammation of the body mirrors and contributes to the inflammation of the mouth.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In fact the signs and symptoms of gum disease are probably the best way to tell how inflamed your gums are. By looking in a mirror, do you see red or puffy gums around the necks of your teeth? It can also be diagnosed through images like x-rays and direct examination by your dentist of the gums and bone around your teeth. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Knowing if you have gum disease is important because it not only can save your teeth, but it can also save your health. Why? Because the bacteria that are associated with gum disease can leak into your bloodstream and infect the rest of your body. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Do your gums bleed when you brush or floss your teeth? Think about it. Every time your gums bleed, the bacteria in your mouth have access to your bloodstream, and therefore the rest of your body. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

This is why gum disease is such an important topic and health concern. In no other disease including intestinal diseases do microbes of all types gain access to your body with such ease and with such consistency. It is truly an infectious disease that is working to weaken your immune system and organs 24\/7, day after day, usually for decades before it starts to cause loose teeth. This is why early treatment and resolution of this disease is so significant and leads to better outcomes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you are interested in oral and systemic health, how to treat gum disease, and in preventive maintenance and holistic self care then read on!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Inflammation \u2013 The Silent Killer<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Inflammation has been called \u2018The Silent Killer\u2019 as it is involved in the initiation and progression of almost all chronic disease states.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

  • Autoimmune conditions<\/li>
  • Cancer<\/li>
  • Heart Disease\/Stroke<\/li>
  • Irritable Bowel\/Food Sensitivities<\/li>
  • Diabetes<\/li>
  • Alzheimer\u2019s\/Dementia<\/li>
  • HIV\/AIDS<\/li><\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    There are numerous books and research papers discussing and proving that inflammation is a cofactor of virtually every disease known to man. But the most common and deadly inflammatory disease in the U.S.is heart disease. This is because more people die from heart disease in the U.S. than from any other disease as the graphic below shows:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    This bears repeating; heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death both worldwide and in the United States, killing over 375,000 Americans each year. Here, inflammation in the blood vessels and heart is chronic, not acute. This leads to breakdown and disease, rather than stimulating a response and hopefully a recovery from an insult or infection. This is the difference between chronic and acute inflammation and disease states. Acute inflammation is usually short term and chronic inflammation is long term.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    One of the manifestations of heart disease is pericarditis which is simply inflammation in and around the heart muscle and is thought to be caused by viral infection. In the age of Covid and spike proteins, it is especially important to keep inflammation down in your heart and your body as a whole. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

     \u201cProlonged inflammation can damage your body\u2019s healthy cells and tissue, and weaken your immune system,\u201d says Stephanie Maxson, senior clinical dietitian at the MD Anderson Integrative Medicine Center. \u201cThis weakened state can increase your risk of diseases like cancer.\u201d Other causes of chronic inflammation can include obesity, smoking, stress, lack of exercise, exposure to secondhand smoke and diet choices. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Another condition to note here is fatigue, the most common and often the most elusive medical complaint in America! Chronic infection in the mouth leading to inflammation can drain your body\u2019s resources 24\/7. This is yet another reason to stay on track with your primary care health provider, your dentist, and possibly your cardiologist if you have any heart concerns.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

     <\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

     <\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    The most prevalent disease in the mouth is periodontal disease or gum disease. Quite simply, gum disease results from inflammation of the gums around your teeth that goes unchecked or is not properly treated. Gum disease is actually quite common, affecting over 50% of the population at some point in their lives. The graphic below demonstrates:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Gum disease can be defined simply as inflammation around your teeth that results in the loss    of the protective band of gum tissue and bone around your teeth, eventually resulting in infection and tooth loss.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    How does this happen? Think of your gums as Saran Wrap or a protective wrap that protects and covers the bone beneath it.  A good way of visualizing this is when a man wears a tie, it tightens the collar of your shirt around your neck just like your gums keep a tight attachment to your teeth. This is because your gums have a strong collagen attachment to your teeth, and therefore protects them and the bone underneath from bacteria and infection. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    The gums in your mouth are essentially a barrier system just like your intestinal lining, your skin or your blood brain barrier. A barrier is meant to keep what inside in, and what\u2019s outside out.  <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    However, when there is gum disease, the bacteria associated with it inflames and punches microscopic holes in your gums in order to cause bleeding. This is how they produce food for themselves. These microbes, which include parasites and amoeba, want your gums to bleed  so they can eat your red blood cells, one of their favorite foods.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    When your gums bleed the natural protection provided by the barrier system of your gums has been violated. Because of this, the bacteria can actually follow the blood into your body. The reason they can do this is that these bacteria are usually motile, meaning they can move and sometimes move quite quickly. Sothey follow the blood because, for them, blood is food.  <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Again, this type of immune activity may go on 24\/7. If you are suffering from fatigue that goes undiagnosed, have you looked into the condition of the ecosystem in your mouth: your  oral microbiome? Remember that inflammation is bi-directional. Inflammation in the gut can affect inflammation in the mouth and vice versa. Gum disease is an infection caused by anaerobic bacteria, meaning the bacteria can live without oxygen. These types of bacteria hide in dark, warm and acidic environments. The gum pockets around your teeth is such an environment. Aerobic, or oxygen loving bacteria, are generally more friendly and less aggressive. They tend to have a more symbiotic relationship with our bodies.  <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    As a whole, you want more aerobic (air-orbic) bacteria in your body than anaerobic bacteria and this balance between the two defines the microbiome of either your mouth or gut. If you have a lot of anaerobic bacteria your microbiome is unhealthy. If you have more aerobic bacteria then your microbiome is considered more healthy. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    The microbes I find in the mouth associated with gum inflammation and gum disease are some of the most aggressive bacteria found in the body. Included in these microbes are Spirochetes and parasites. Once you know how these microbes function and feed on your body and\/or tissue, you will not want to have them anywhere in your body.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Spirochetes are a common bacteria found in the pockets around your teeth and they are causative for gum disease. Here is a video showing spirochetes in action; how they move, aggregate, and how they feed on your gums:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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