Keep Your Mouth Healthy to Keep Your Body Healthy

Dr. Shilpi Priyadarshini is the Regional Managing Director of Jefferson Dental and Orthodontics, a healthcare organization that offers comprehensive dental services to patients in the United States with close to 80 locations in the states of Texas and Oklahoma City. Dr. Priyadarshini earned her Bachelor's in Dental Surgery in Bangalore, India in 2008 and continued to do her Master's in Public Health at San Diego State University. She earned her Doctor in Dental Surgery degree from the University of California, San Francisco in 2013 and since then has been rendering exceptional dental care to patients of Jefferson Dental. She recently received her fellowship in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. She has also co-authored a book named “Prosthetically Driven Surgical Implantology by Dr. Virgil Mongalo”. Dr. Priyadarshini has been the recipient of America’s Best Dentist Award twice in 2020 and 2022 and is also listed in Marquis Who’s Who - America's Top Doctor’s Award and Bibliography inclusion (2020-2021). Dr. Priyadarshini and her team were instrumental during the COVID pandemic in developing dental care protocols to take care of patients. Her team was one among the few healthcare professionals that were open to taking care of patients in pain during the lockdown in the initial months when the pandemic hit. Dr. Priyadarshini shares with us some precautions to be taken to keep your mouth healthy and in turn, help your body stay healthy. 

1) What is the Mouth-Body Connection?

The mouth and the Oral Cavity have millions of bacteria that we are born with. It is important to keep bacterial activity low. Studies in the last few decades have shown increasing evidence of mouth bacteria linked to the overall health of the body. Poor oral health and gum disease are likely to worsen diabetes, cardiac and heart disease, lower immunity, and more predilection to Alzheimer's and dementia.

2) What can you do to prevent this?

The dental checkup should be routine and not need-based. Regular 6-month check-ups including gum therapy are vital to keeping bacterial counts low and your teeth and gums healthy. We also tend to visit the dentist when a need arises. It's imperative to change the approach and take more stronger preventative action toward our oral health. 

3) What are some signs and symptoms of gum disease and oral problems?

Diseases of the mouth can be present with a variety of symptoms ranging from bad breath, loose teeth, bleeding gums, pain, and sensitivity to more serious problems like swelling, and abscesses that can be life-threatening.

4) What are some homecare instructions that are recommended?

Good oral hygiene habits start from a very young age. It is recommended that we not share spoons, forks, or food with family members including children. We risk transmission of bacteria. Brushing and flossing after meals or at least rinsing the mouth after food intake is primary in keeping bacterial activity low. Avoiding sticky or starchy food as snackers and replacing them with fruits, vegetables, and sugar-free alternatives is a great way to maintain mouth and overall health. Food rich in Vitamin B and Vitamin C helps in keeping the oral tissues healthy. Continuous lodgement of food on teeth or in gums in a silent but loud indicator of a cavity or a gum pocket that needs immediate attention. Avoid using a tooth pick and visit your dentist asap.

5) What is Mask Mouth?

Increased usage of masks during the pandemic has led to symptoms of “Mask Mouth”. Mask usage increases the ph of the mouth leading to more bacterial activity with reduced water intake due to the fear of avoiding touching the face when masked in a public area. All this leads to dryness in the mouth, halitosis, and bad breath, and increases chances of cavities and gum disease. This has led to more need of receiving routine dental care. Hydrate yourself well, change/clean
your masks periodically and use a Flouride based tooth-paste to keep bacterial activity low. (Flouride toothpaste is not advised for pregnant women or children under the age of 3).