Oral-Systemic Health
Your mouth is not an island. Every cell in your body communicates with every other cell, and what happens in your mouth affects your entire body.
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Your Mouth Is the Gateway to Your Body
Biological dentistry recognizes that the mouth is not separate from the rest of the body. It is connected through bones, blood, lymph, fascia, nerves, and more. What happens in your mouth affects your entire body, and what happens in your body affects your mouth.
Every cell in our body communicates with every other cell. Our mouth is not an island unto itself. A healthy body depends on a healthy mouth, and a healthy mouth depends on a healthy body. This is the fundamental principle of oral-systemic health.
Oral infections, toxic dental materials, and structural issues in the mouth can all act as "splinters", sources of chronic inflammation that compromise your immune system and spread disease throughout your body.
Body Systems Affected by Oral Health
Cardiovascular
Gum disease bacteria have been found in arterial plaque, linking oral health to heart disease.
Brain & Nervous System
Oral pathogens can travel through nerve pathways to the brain, with links to Alzheimer's and cognitive decline.
Endocrine (Diabetes)
Periodontal disease makes blood sugar harder to control, creating a two-way relationship with diabetes.
Respiratory
Bacteria from infected gums can be inhaled into the lungs, contributing to pneumonia and COPD.
Pregnancy
Gum disease has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
Immune System
Chronic oral infections continuously tax the immune system, reducing its ability to fight other threats.
14 Hidden Mouth "Splinters"
You may not see them, feel them, or even know about them. These 14 sources of infection and inflammation could be lurking in your mouth and jawbone, compromising your immune system and spreading disease throughout your body.
Mercury Fillings
Amalgam fillings release mercury vapor 24/7, absorbed by the lungs and distributed to the brain, kidneys, liver, and GI tract.
Incompatible Materials
Dental fillings contain chemicals that cause toxic responses in sensitive individuals.
Broken or Decayed Teeth
Allow bacteria to infiltrate, potentially killing the nerve and creating abscesses.
Broken Fillings
Create the same bacterial infiltration risk as broken or decayed teeth.
Ill-Fitting Dentistry
Poorly fitting dental work causes bite problems, gum irritation, and bone damage.
Tartar Under the Gum
Calcified bacterial deposits irritate gum and bone, encouraging progressive infection.
Hidden Cement
Excess cement left under the gum after crown placement causes acute inflammation and bone loss.
Necrotic Teeth
Dead or infected tooth nerves push infection out through the root into surrounding bone.
Hopeless Teeth
Teeth that cannot be repaired should be removed before they cause further infection.
Excessive Bite Forces
Uneven biting pressure can crack teeth, loosen them, and strain jaw muscles.
Tooth Misalignment
Poor positioning affects chewing, breathing, swallowing, and speaking.
Titanium Implants
Titanium can create inflammation in surrounding tissues; zirconia is a more compatible alternative.
Cavitations
Areas of retained infection in the jawbone after extraction, often silent but systemically harmful.
Other Oral Damage
A thorough biological dental exam may uncover additional issues affecting whole-body health.
If a person were healthy but had a splinter in their finger, the area could not heal until the splinter was removed. Likewise, the immune system cannot heal the body as long as dental "splinters" exist. The body cannot heal as long as they continuously "stab" it.
Take Control of Your Whole-Body Health
A biological dentist understands the connection between your mouth and your body. Find one who can identify and treat the hidden "splinters" affecting your health.