Your Mouth Could Be Killing You: Spirochetes – The Dangerous Oral Pathogen

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Your Mouth Could Be Killing You: Spirochetes – The Dangerous Oral Pathogen

Are you aware that oral health is whole body health? It is all related – recent studies have shown oral pathogens and inflammation create systematic disorders. Oral inflammation affects more than your mouth. Did you know that up to half of heart attacks are triggered by oral pathogens? Recent studies have shown oral pathogens and inflammation create systemic disorders, such as these listed below:

Stroke

Respiratory Disease

Heart Disease

Diabetes

Ulcers

Osteoporosis

Arthritis

Pre-Term Births

You can find over 600 species of microorganisms in the oral cavity and your mouth is a portal of entry to the inner sanctum of the body. A majority of these 600 microorganisms pose little harm to your health but some are very serious pathogens. The harmful microorganisms found in your oral cavity could cause tooth decay, gum disease and even threaten your body’s vital organs. If an infection occurs, it could easily travel into your system and reach other organs. Thus, increasing the odds of serious medical conditions. We will focus on one pathogen in detail called Spirochetes.

What are Spirochetes?

Spirochetes are corkscrew-like organisms rarely found in healthy mouths.  These tiny organisms are linked with coronary heart disease and strokes and are a highly communicable periodontal infection.  Spirochetes are shared through saliva, and saliva can be shared through kissing, sneezing, and sharing utensils.

Spirochetes are very invasive of the gum tissues.  They destroy the tissues, which causes inflammation and bleeding.  A starburst formation during the viewing of a dental plaque bacteria slide means that the spirochetes are attacking the nucleus of a white blood cell and hijacking it.

Removal of spirochetes requires:

A thorough ultrasonic prophylaxis

Use of the emmi^®-dent sonic toothbrush

Use of the TheraSol^® mouth rinse twice a day

A follow-up appointment after two weeks is required to take another bacteria slide sample to see if the spirochetes are still present. If the spirochetes are still present, then antibiotic therapy will be necessary.

Dental health professionals cannot stress enough the importance of your yearly checkups. Some even recommend going twice a year. These checkups not only help prevent tooth decay and gum disease but can also help identify harmful pathogens in your mouth. Once identified, your dentist can take the best course of action to lower your chances of serious medical problems and even save your life.