Oral Disease and Systemic Health

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmary.”

World Health Organisation

Archeological evidence has proven that the treatment of oral diseases and the repair of damaged teeth has been considered a priority in human healthcare for thousands of years.

Fast forward to modern times and this still holds true. The dental profession’s tools, research and technology has advanced exponentially.Yet despite the fact that oral healthcare has become more sophisticated, both dentistry and medicine faces a growing concern in treating patients suffering from chronic inflammatory and periodontal diseases.

Chronic Disease

Periodontal diseases have been identified as some of the most common infections in people around the world. At the same time, discoveries in periodontology and bacteriology have revealed critical links between oral health and general health.

General Health conditions associated with periodontal diseases include:

• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Heart Disease
• Hypertension
• Obesity
• Adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth and low birth weight

Educating dental professionals

Organisations such as EFP (The European Federation of Periodontology) advocate the prevention, early diagnosis, and effective treatment of periodontal disease by calling on dental professionals to be more aware of the various systemic disease links. 

It encourages dental and health professionals to act together in order to address the profound effects of oral and general health for the individual and society.