You’ve probably already heard that your oral health is just as important as the health and maintenance of the rest of your body. In fact, it’s arguably more important because the condition of the mouth can have negative effects that carry over into other areas. From diabetes to heart disease, your gums in particular are a gateway to bigger problems if they are not properly cared for. This is because the bacteria that cause gum disease can make their way into your bloodstream, causing dangerous inflammation throughout the body.
Now, a new study from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center has found yet another link between overall body health and your oral health. The study examined data from 100 patients with the autoimmune skin condition psoriasis and 165 without the condition. Researchers found that the psoriasis patients who had poor oral health also had more psoriasis flareups, and those flareups were more severe than the ones experienced by patients who reported having good oral health.
The researchers say they conducted the study because patients came in to the Ohio State University’s dermatology clinic wondering if their diet could be affecting their psoriasis. The researchers decided to examine that link. Turns out, they were onto something. Researchers did in fact note a correlation between good oral health and a healthy diet. Patients who reported eating at least one piece of fresh fruit per day reported better oral health than those who did not.
Another reason for the oral health questioning? The well-documented fact that people with psoriasis often get flareups of the illness when they have strep throat, a condition that changes the bacteria in the microbiome of the mouth. This again highlights the importance of oral health and its effects on the total body.
Though the study was only done on a very small sample group, the results are telling, and now researchers are hoping to continue the study on thousands more psoriasis patients from around the United States. The researchers are hoping that this information can be passed along to both dermatologists and dentists to warn patients about the link between psoriasis, diet and oral health.
To schedule an appointment and discuss your own oral health with Dr. Abelar, please call the office at 858-523-1400.
