Oral Health
The mouth is full of bacteria but mostly harmless. When gums become inflamed or infected (a condition known as periodontal disease), harmful bacteria can enter the bloodstream. Once circulating, these bacteria can contribute to inflammation throughout the body, including in the arteries.
Research shows that:
Periodontal disease increases the risk of heart disease because oral bacteria can contribute to plaque buildup in arteries.
Inflammation in the gums mirrors inflammation in the cardiovascular system, creating a dangerous cycle.
Unhealthy gums can worsen conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and stroke, because inflammation doesn’t stay local; it can spread.
Traditionally, dental care and medical care have been treated as separate areas of healthcare. However, the body does not function in isolation, and neither should the care it receives.
At Open Health Care Clinic, our integrated care model bridges the gap between oral and overall health by offering shared patient information between our dental and medical teams.
Early detection of systemic issues that show up first in the mouth when scheduling a dental appointment can generate a referral for medical services.
Coordinated treatment plans with medical providers for conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic inflammation are streamlined into appointments that save time and reduce barriers to care.
This collaboration between medical and dental teams allows us to deliver true whole-person care and not fragmented treatment which aligns with our mission to provide affordable, high-quality healthcare to our community.
Tamma Gray, DDS