Mouth & Body Connection

The mouth is a gateway to the body.  Research has linked poor oral health to various systemic health issues, such as heart attack, stroke, aspiration pneumonia, Alzheimer’s and certain types of cancer.  Proper oral hygiene can mitigate the onset of numerous diseases.  However, many in the geriatric population suffer from advanced tooth decay and/or gum disease leading to tooth loss.  The absence of quality dental hygiene care in elders, disabled or those who suffer with mobility can seriously affect their quality of life.  Poor oral health leads to mental conditions such as depression and isolation.  Oral pain leads to poor nutrition, weight loss and other immune system difficulties.  Increasing need for medications causes adverse side effects, such as xerostomia (dry mouth).  This condition (or side effect) can be so severe it causes difficulty chewing, swallowing, and speaking.  Early detection can help diminish those effects.  Proper dental hygiene care and routine dental cleanings are necessary for prevention.