The Family Dentist Framingham Trusts on the Mouth Body Connection

You’ve probably heard the saying, “You are what you eat.” This adage is used to simply explain that the foods we eat provide nutrients for the whole body. If this is true, it likely comes as no surprise to hear oral health is also connected to and effects whole body health. At Dr. Mark Fried’s Framingham dental practice, we emphasize preventive care to ensure early diagnosis and treatment for detrimental oral health concerns. With timely treatment, even the most severe dental disease, decay, or trauma can be remedied by your Framingham dentist.

Periodontal (gum) disease affects more than 50% of US Adults, and is the leading cause of tooth loss. This disease begins with irritation caused by plaque on teeth rubbing against gum tissue, but the red, swollen gums of mild periodontal disease (gingivitis) can quickly lead to the more detrimental soft tissue recession, bone density depredation, and tooth loss associated with moderate and advanced gum disease (periodontitis). Periodontal disease creates sores in the mouth that allow fatty plaque deposits access to the bloodstream. When plaque enters the body it’s detrimental to cardiovascular health, immune function, and even leads to pre-term births. Patients with diabetes are at especially high risk for associated health risks since both periodontal disease and diabetes inhibit the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar and immune function.

Oral cancer kills an estimated 1 person every hour in the US, and is more deadly than skin or cervical cancers. What makes cancers deadly is their ability to spread, metastasize, and oral cancer is able to spread very quickly due to the lack of the adhesion molecule, E-cadherin, that should keep malignant cancerous cells attached to the surrounding mass of cells. Because these cells have reduced or absent E-cadherin molecules, they are able to detach and enter the blood stream and lymph system. From there, cancer can affect vital organs and brain function eventually causing fatality.

Achieving and maintaining optimal oral health and visiting the dentist regularly positively affect overall health and wellbeing because regular checkups and cleanings allow our dental team to diagnose early and treat conservatively keeping you happy, healthy, and smiling. If you’re new to Framingham, in need of a new dentist, or it’s time for your next six month checkup, contact Dr. Fried and his dental team today.