“Can a gum infection pass to other parts of the body?”
I recently read in an article that certain infections that start from the gums can spread to the other parts of the body. What are the types of bacterial infections starting in the mouth that spread to the throat, lungs and other parts of the body? Is there any way to identify these infections early?
22 Answers
S. Clarke Woodruff
Dentist
Yes some infections of the gum tissue can spread. Get to a dentist that can treat your gum problems.
Yes...can cause other issues and has been linked to heart disease etc. Get regular Dental checkups to catch early and treat early
Yes, plaques of diseased areas in organs have been cultured and found to have oral microflora or bacteria types. Regular dental appointments, good oral hygiene at home and reduction of dental calculus are important to prevent spreading of bacteria to other parts of the body.
When your gums bleed or a wound in the mouth is open, then the saliva and plaque have access to get into your blood stream. If soft plaque stays in the mouth without being brushed off, it will harden up. Both are like houses for the bacteria to live in. It is a biofilm that needs to be removed 2xday so it does not harden and more difficult to remove with out the aid of a hygienist. The bacteria use acid as their byproduct to erode enamel and thus a cavity forms. When they live in the hole of the tooth they created, the they are more difficult to reach and grow more quickly toward the center of the tooth and can eat the nerve for food. It can lead to dead pulp inside the tooth that leads to an abcess and your body trys to fight the bacteria from the very beginning, but we need to give our body a chance by simply removing it when it is soft and allow our mouth to be in a neutral environment between meals with introduction of more soda/coffee/snacks that aid the bacterial growth. Many of the bacteria live these biofilms/plaque and we swallow them over and over or we push them into the blood stream upon bleeding in the gums/abcess... So yes, bacteria of the mouth does spread to the throat/heart and other area of the body through swallowing them and in the blood.
It has been shown that the bacteria causing gum disease are in fact the same as those which cause heart disease. So thinking and treating the body as one system rather than independent of each other is the paradigm shift in how we look at health in general. You should attend to your dentist regularly for checkups and maintain good oral hygiene with proper home care.
Systemic infections known as "bacteremia" can definitely originate in the mouth. Individuals with periodontal disease can exacerbate heart issues. That is why often physicians request that a dentist treat you "prophylactically" with antibiotics to reduce the likelihood of a heart infection known as "subacute bacterial endocarditis" or SBE. Some bacteria can also cause bronchitis and pneumonia, and make conditions such as emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease worse.
Yes, medicine has finally acknowledged that the mouth is actually connected to the rest of the body. If you have gum disease, the bacteria that are infecting your gums can get into your bloodstream and infect other parts of your body. Gum disease can affect pregnancy, your heart, affect blood sugar control in diabetics, cause a bone infection near or around an artificial joint, and many oter nasty things. Rather than trying "to identify these infections early" (which would be done with a thorough check up with your physician, or when you're not feeling right and you visit your MD), in my opinion it would be far better to try to prevent the gum-influence of
these problems by doing a complete job of brushing and flossing every single day.
these problems by doing a complete job of brushing and flossing every single day.
Great question. There is actually new evidence showing DNA confirmed bacteria that originated in the mouth being found in blood clots that cause heart attacks and strokes. It shows direct relationship and if that isnt enough to say take care of your mouth what is?! Study done in Los Angeles done with patients who suffered from strokes and heart attacks!
Infections of the upper or maxillary teeth have been known to travel to the sinuses and even the brain. Abscesses on the lower or mandibular teeth can spread down to the base of the neck into the mediastinum and ultimately to heart.
yes
Gums have a blood supply that is connected to other parts of one's body. Therefore the bacteria in one's mouth can be disseminated wherever there are blood vessels including the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and other organs.
It is hypothesized that this will at least cause an inflammatory response in that area which can contribute to systemic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, or even affect a pregnancy.
See the link below for more information about periodontal disease and how to treat or prevent it.
https://www.irvinedds.com/dental-services/periodontics.html
It is hypothesized that this will at least cause an inflammatory response in that area which can contribute to systemic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, or even affect a pregnancy.
See the link below for more information about periodontal disease and how to treat or prevent it.
https://www.irvinedds.com/dental-services/periodontics.html
Yes, you are right. Bacterial infections causing periodontal disease certainly can spread to various body parts including sinuses, heart, brain and lungs. Most of these infections are Streptococcal, a kind of bacteria. The mouth is not an isolated ecosystem, but an integral part of the immune system. The mouth is intimately connected to many other parts of the body and a bacterial imbalance or gum disease in the mouth can create immune problems and inflammation in other parts of the body as well. The right way to identify these would be regular visits to a dentist.
The first step is identifying & treating the gum infection. Once that is cleared up & you maintain proper oral hygiene along with routine dental check ups & cleanings to prevent a recurrence, the risk of the gum infection affecting other parts of the body is no longer an issue.
Yes, research shows it can cause bacterial endocarditis and digestive tract infection.
YES. Gum infections can spread to a lot of places in the body. recent studies have linked a strong correlation between some medical conditions such as Diabetes and heart problems with gum diseases. Also a link exists between gum disease and pregnancy complications. your best defense is to routinely see your dentist for regular checkups and hygiene appointments.
It is true that bacterial infections starting in the mouth can spread to
other parts of the body. Although uncommon, bacterial infections from the
mouth will be introduced to the blood stream and can cause septecimia as
well as failure of artificial joints and heart valves. There are various
types of bacteria in the mouth, and it depends on which one gets introduced
into the bloodstream and begins to profliferate which will determine which
type of infection the patient will obtain.
As far as what steps you can take to prevent these infections, the best
thing to do would be to maintain your oral hygiene along with regular
visits to the dental offices for cleanings. Some dental offices also will
complete a procedure with a laser called bacterial reduction prior to
cleanings which reduces the bacterial load significantly prior to invasive
treatment. If you have artificial joints or artificial valves you may want
to speak to your physician or dentist about if premedication with
antibiotic prior to cleaning is desired. Additionally, if you have
recently undergone surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, you may want to
discuss premedication with your dentist or physician as well.
I hope this helps to answer your question.
other parts of the body. Although uncommon, bacterial infections from the
mouth will be introduced to the blood stream and can cause septecimia as
well as failure of artificial joints and heart valves. There are various
types of bacteria in the mouth, and it depends on which one gets introduced
into the bloodstream and begins to profliferate which will determine which
type of infection the patient will obtain.
As far as what steps you can take to prevent these infections, the best
thing to do would be to maintain your oral hygiene along with regular
visits to the dental offices for cleanings. Some dental offices also will
complete a procedure with a laser called bacterial reduction prior to
cleanings which reduces the bacterial load significantly prior to invasive
treatment. If you have artificial joints or artificial valves you may want
to speak to your physician or dentist about if premedication with
antibiotic prior to cleaning is desired. Additionally, if you have
recently undergone surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, you may want to
discuss premedication with your dentist or physician as well.
I hope this helps to answer your question.
There are many pathogens that propagate and flourish in the warm moist environment of the mouth and due to salvation swallowing sneezing and migrated to other parts of the body. The most common infection is bacteria that can accumulate around wisdom teeth and migrated down the neck spaces to the pericardium of the heart. These bacteria can cause a condition known as SBE or Subacute bacterial endocarditis. Whole text books have been written and courses are available in oral pathology that discuss a myriad of bacterial infections and conditions that are localized in the mouth and oropharynx.
There are many types of bacteria in the mouth. Some are good and therefore harmless. This is the case with a healthy mouth. However when decay, periodontal disease and other diseases are present, the bacteria can go through the bloodstream to other organs and areas causing infections there. All these problems can be kept to a minimum with regular dental check-ups every 6-12 months. For treatment of this problem or to meet your other dental needs, call the dental office of Dr. Brad Emery, Dr. Nicholas Emery and Dr. Carol Scuro, at 585-247-7110. Or check out our website at www.drsemeryandscuro.com.
Any oral infection to the teeth and gums can spread to the head or heart. Regular checkups with your dentist will identify an infection and prevention is the best thing.
The gum disease, cavities, cysts and abscesses contain bacteria that can easily access the other organs of human body through circulation. Yes, there is plenty of scientific data on the subject. Early detection and prevention is very important in overall well-being. Regular dental check-ups and visits may prevent problems.
A small number of people in America die from dental infections every year, either through infection spreading to the brain or a condition called Ludwig's angina which closes the airway in the throat from swelling. There is also a lot of research being done about gum disease and correlating increases in other disease processes such as prostate cancer and heart problems. The type of infection spreading is bacteria from your gums. Infected and bleeding gums can allow a lot of bacteria into your blood stream. I do not know of any way to identify the infections early but I do know that keeping your gums and teeth healthy is good for your overall medical health. Brush, floss, and see your dentist regularly for optimum dental health.
The way to deal with the possibility is to NOT have gum problems in the 1st place...see the dentist...get evaluated and treated....and do better home care....id-ing the bodily infections can only be done once the oral disease progresses....why wait??
