Is Your Oral Health Affecting More Than Your Smile?

The health of your mouth has more of an impact on the rest of your body than you realize. Many people still think of the mouth and their dental health as separate from their overall health. In fact, the mouth is the window to the rest of the body and the health, or lack there of, affects every part of the overall system.

Research has consistently shown that inflammation and bacteria in the teeth, gums, jaw bones, or other soft tissues contributes to inflammation in the body. Gum disease, referred to as periodontal disease, is directly related to inflammation in your arteries, putting patients at higher risk for cardiovascular disease. This includes the build up of plaques in the arteries, heart attack, stroke, arrhythmias (irregular hearts) and more. Due to the close proximity of the mouth to the brain, untreated dental abscesses can be dangerous. The bacteria present in tooth infections can spread and can cause a brain abscess, which can be fatal in some cases. 

In addition, growing evidence links poor oral health to neurological conditions. Studies show adults with signs of dental infections were more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. The other major correlation we see that is so common today is the connection between poorly controlled diabetes and increased incidence of gum disease. At the same time, active gum disease can make blood sugar levels harder to manage. Not only will properly managing your blood sugar lower your chance for gum disease, it will also lower your chance for developing cavities, dry mouth, and other oral complications.

It is important to recognize that the body functions as a system, and the mouth plays a critical role in that system. Digestion begins in the mouth. Adequate saliva is essential for breaking down food and initiating nutrient absorption. Healthy teeth are necessary for proper chewing, which directly affects how well the body absorbs vitamins and minerals. Studies have shown that people who are missing teeth have lower levels of key nutrients, negatively impacting overall health and quality of life.

Gum disease, cavities, and abscesses are not conditions you can feel until they get to the point where simple treatment is not an option anymore. Remember, we cannot feel the plaques circulating in our arteries by our heart or the blood clots making their way to our brains until they are fatal. The absence of discomfort or pain in the mouth does not mean nothing is wrong. There are steps you can take to improve the condition of your mouth to ensure it is not negatively contributing to your overall health. Regular dental checkups allow early detection and prevention of problems before they become serious. If you haven't had a thorough exam lately, hopefully this information encourages you to take that next step to make an appointment.

About Dr. Sasha Sherry, DMD

Dr. Sasha Sherry grew up with a passion for learning and a drive to achieve excellence across her life interests. Her aspirations brought her to Princeton University where she graduated with a degree in biology and received All-American honors as a Division I athlete. Dr. Sasha, as many of her patients call her, went on to become a member of the United States Women’s National Ice Hockey Team and competed for a spot on the 2010 Olympic team. After her athletic career, she followed in her father’s footsteps and graduated from dental school at Temple University as a multiple award recipient for her commitment to patient care and clinical skills.

Dr. Sasha is a life-long learner and spends countless hours advancing her knowledge in all aspects of dentistry. Aside from general dentistry practices, her expertise extends to sleep medicine, children’s development, and restoring implants. She enjoys being a member of several dental organizations and attends meetings throughout the year to ensure Sherry Dental remains at the cutting edge of the industry. The office has two top-of-the-line digital scanners for in-the-mouth impressions and patient education, a 3D printer, and a custom jaw articulator all to improve patient comfort and treatment outcomes.

Dr. Sasha’s greatest passion is to develop lasting relationships and provide the best possible care to help improve the lives of her patients. Having a direct impact on making people feel better is what drives her to continue learning more ways to help her patients. She recently became a co-founder of the first North American chapter of an international women’s implantology group. She is also highly involved in Nobel Biocare and their next-generation speakers program.

Outside of the dental world, Dr. Sasha continues to play ice hockey in local leagues and offers private lessons to rising hockey stars. She also greatly enjoys her time engaging in community outreach and development within Shenandoah and Schuylkill County. Her other interests include golfing, bow hunting, reading, and staying active.

*This is a Product of the THRIVE Schuylkill Total Resource Campaign*