Since we were all young children, we have heard that we must brush our teeth and visit our dental professional every 3 to 6 months to avoid cavities or maintain good oral health. However, current studies indicate that oral health is no longer just an aesthetic luxury, and that poor oral hygiene and dental complications can lead to issues extending far beyond the mouth itself.
It has been known for some time that certain conditions can have an adverse effect on oral health such as HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, or cancer.(1) However, further research has indicated what medical professionals have long feared: that the opposite may also be true and poor oral health can have a negative affect on total body wellness, leading to systemic complications and certain chronic illnesses. (1,2)
Diabetes is one such chronic illness that appears on both sides of the narrative. (1-4) Not only can diabetes lead to poor oral health, but a recent study by Kanie et al (2,3) indicated that those individuals with “missing teeth, coated tongues, or other signs of poor oral health” were more likely to experience high blood sugar and type 2 diabetes than their otherwise healthy counterparts. The study argues that the decrease in oral function associated with poor oral health and missing teeth may lead to an increased risk in lifestyle related factors that increase the prevalence of diseases such as diabetes. (2-4)
Type 2 diabetes is not the only chronic illness that has a cause linked to poor oral health. Cardiovascular disease has been strongly linked to incidents of periodontal disease in both men and women. A meta-analysis conducted by Leng et al5 indicated a rate of 7.2 percent across both genders across 26 studies. Even cardiac rhythmic abnormalities such as atrial fibrillation have been noted in patients with increased systemic inflammation, a condition that has been associated with periodontitis and has shown to be improved by routine dental and periodontal maintenance. (4) Other conditions, such as endocarditis (an infection of the inner lining of the heart that, though rare, can be fatal), pregnancy and birth complications due to periodontitis, or even pneumonia caused by certain oral bacteria getting into the lungs have also been linked, giving prudence to the argument that maintaining optimal oral health is not just about a healthy looking smile, it’s about a healthy body as well.
At Synergy Dental Implants and Oral Surgery Center, our treatments, though centered in oral healthcare, ultimately focus on treating every aspect of our patients to ensure the ability to lead a long, happy, and high quality life once they leave our office. Procedures such as dental implants and full mouth restorations with Dr. Vladimir Polyakov can be instrumental in allowing for better lifestyle choices, while education for our patients in proper oral hygiene and maintenance techniques at home can strengthen their oral health routine and help them avoid the downfalls that can accompany a lax oral hygiene regimine.
To schedule your consultation and get your oral (and overall) health back on track, contact us today!
1. Mayo Clinic Staff. Oral health: A window to your overall health. Mayo Clinic. March 14, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475. Accessed August 7, 2025. Mayo Clinic
2. HealthDay News. Poor oral health potentially linked to chronic health problems. News for Healthier Living, Watertown Internists. July 18, 2025. https://www.watertowninternists.com/PatientPortal/MyPractice.aspx?UAID=%7B3C7DCB0A-303F-408F-B4FE-7BE705956F23%7D&TabID=%7BX%7D&ArticleID=1752757803892. Accessed August 7, 2025. watertowninternists.com
3. Kanie H, Yoshida M, Yokoi M, Okamoto M, Sasaki H, Ono K. Relationship between blood test results and oral function tests in individuals undergoing regular physical examinations. J Oral Rehabil. Published online April 21, 2025. doi:10.1111/joor.13977
4. Hopkins S, Vij N, Waksman R. More than just teeth: how oral health can affect the heart. Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J. 2024;20(3):49-54. doi:10.14797/mdcvj.1482
5. Leng Y, Yang F, Li X, et al. Periodontal disease is associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease independent of sex: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2023;10:1177336. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2023.1177336
