Grin for Good Health

by Molly M. Ginty

Whatever stage of life you’re in, and whether you’re physically fit or living with chronic illness, you can find ways to be a wise steward of your health and well-being. Our health and wholeness are important keys to responding to God’s call for us and acting boldly on that call. That’s why Women of the ELCA have embarked on a new health initiative: Raising up Healthy Women and Girls. This ongoing column represents our commitment to the issue of women’s health.

Smile as if your health depends on it. New research shows that it does.

Maintaining good oral hygiene can not only brighten your teeth, it can keep your whole body in gleaming health. That’s the gist of studies that show regular brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist can protect you not only against dental decay, but also against heart disease, diabetes, and pre–term labor — three health hazards of special concern to women.

All these problems are linked to dental plaque, a colorless, sticky film that forms when bacteria in the mouth transform the sugar from food into acids. When these acids mix with food particles and saliva, plaque can build up and cause gingivitis (oral inflammation) or periodontitis (more serious gum infection). These painful conditions not only stress the immune system, they make it more difficult to chew and digest food and get the nutrients you need. They can also cause bacteria to flood from your mouth into the rest of your body.

Side effect number one: heart disease, the leading cause of death in American women. Bacteria from the mouth can travel into the circulatory system and cause plaque buildup and inflammation in blood vessels. This can lead to atherosclerosis (thickening of the artery walls) and infective endocarditis (in which bacteria adhere to the lining of the heart valves). These conditions can boost the risk of heart attack and stroke. And the more severe the oral infection, the greater the threat. In a recent study at New York’s Columbia University, plaque in the carotid artery (a main artery to the brain) was present in 44 percent of subjects who had lost fewer than nine teeth to gum disease — and in 61 percent of subjects who had lost 10 teeth or more.

Health hazard number two: complications related to diabetes, a disease that causes blood sugar to build up in the bloodstream and that affects 9 percent of American women. Just as diabetes boosts the risk of gum disease, gum disease can make diabetes more difficult to control. Because gingivitis and periodontitis can destabilize blood sugar levels, diabetics must be especially vigilant about brushing and flossing regularly. Because low blood sugar can interfere with healing, they also must make sure to eat before dental procedures and monitor their health carefully afterward.

Side effect number three: problems with pregnancy. If a pregnant woman has gingivitis or periodontitis, oral bacteria can seep into her baby’s bloodstream and stunt growth and development. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research in Bethesda, Maryland, 18 percent of low–weight and pre-term births can be attributed to these oral infections.

"Women are more susceptible to the problems caused by gum disease during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause," notes Dr. Sally Cram, a spokesperson for the Chicago-based American Dental Association. "At these times, levels of estrogen are particularly high, which can make some women more responsive to bacteria and make their gum tissue more spongy and likely to bleed easily."

The good news is that if you’re a woman, you’re likely taking care of your 32 teeth. According to the American Dental Association, women are 40 percent more likely than men to brush after every meal and 20 percent more likely to have a regular dentist.

Even better, health problems that start in a woman’s mouth typically don’t strike unless her immune system is weak, she’s just had dental surgery, or gingivitis has already set in. By simply taking care of yourself and your teeth, you can keep these problems at bay.

To battle plaque formed by the 500 species of bacteria in the human mouth, eat a well-balanced diet low in sugar and starch. Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, using back-and-forth strokes and a soft-bristled brush that you replace every three months. Floss daily, gripping the floss tightly and pulling from the gumline to the top of the tooth. Also see your dentist regularly, going for checkups at least once and ideally twice a year.

As you age, you may need more frequent checkups. "If you’re in menopause and have a family history of osteoporosis or dry mouth, visit your dentist to monitor bone loss and get your teeth cleaned more often," recommends Cram. "Also note that arthritis, which affects more women than men, can make it difficult to floss and brush your teeth easily."

Watch for signs of gingivitis and periodontitis: gums that are tender or swollen, bleed when you brush them, or are receding away from the teeth.

Also watch for more news on women’s oral health. Researchers are debating whether mercury based dental fillings in pregnant women can boost the risk of birth defects. They are developing over the–counter tooth whiteners that replenish essential minerals lost to osteoporosis. And they’re studying markers in saliva that can be used to detect Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and breast and ovarian cancers.

Molly M. Ginty lives in New York. Her work has appeared in Ms., Marie Claire, Redbook, and Women’s eNews.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: American Dental Association "Cleaning Your Teeth and Gums"
www.ada.org/public/topics/cleaning_faq.asp

Molly M. Ginty lives in New York. Her work has appeared in Ms., Marie Claire, Redbook, and Women’s eNews.

Article published in Lutheran Woman Today, March 2006