Study links poor oral health to abnormal blood test results in older adults

A study of 118 people aged 50 and older who underwent routine medical check-ups found a link between oral health and blood test results. (iStock)

A new Japanese study has found that older adults with abnormal blood test results may also have declining oral health—suggesting a potential link between oral function and the risk of lifestyle-related diseases. The study, published online in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation on April 17, 2025, was led by Professor Mitsuyoshi Yoshida, chair of the … Read more

Finding the key to oral health … and total health

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It is astonishing that as early as 1914, Dr. Charles Mayo, of Mayo Clinic fame, wrote an article titled “Mouth Infection as a Source of Systemic Disease.” He is also known to have said, “The next movement in preventive medicine must come from the members of the dental profession.” Wow! This was over one hundred … Read more

The Effects of Stress on Oral and Systemic Health

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“You think you’re stressed? I’ll tell you about stress…” It almost seems like a competition these days, as if the amount of stress we can endure is a badge of honor. Every one of us experiences stress. Stress can come from all sorts of circumstances we perceive to be frightening, dangerous, or threatening in some … Read more

Genetic Make-Up Has Little Impact on Dental Health, New Study Finds

A new study has found genetic makeup does not predispose people to tooth decay, however, the research did find that children with overweight mothers are more likely to have cavities. The paper, published in the latest edition of Pediatrics, estimates that one in three Australian children have tooth decay by the time they start school. Lead researcher Dr. … Read more

Our Immune System Could Actually Be Contributing to Dental Cavities

The immune system does essential work in keeping us alive and healthy, but when it malfunctions it can cause problems – and there’s new evidence that one of those problems could be dental cavities. Researchers have found that tooth decay is potentially partly caused by bacteria enlisting the unwitting help of immune cells known as neutrophils, with cavities and damage … Read more

Heart Attack Victim Thankful for Dental Office Staff That Saved Her Life

Melissa Dunlay expected Jan. 30 would be like any other day. She got up, got her kids ready for school, and went to her dentist appointment at River Valley Dental Clinic in Saint John with her daughter. It was snowing that day, so she made her husband drive. But when Dunlay was leaving the dentist’s … Read more

2019 – The Year of Airway and Collaboration for Optimal Health

airway dentistry

Dentists wield enormous power over their patients’ medical outcomes – positive and negative – and it starts with our intimacy with people’s airways. 2019 will be remembered as a seminal moment for dentistry. Are you and your practice prepared? The important role that dentistry can play in airway centered disorders (ACD) is being discovered by … Read more

Oklahoma Scientists Discover Link between Dental Hygiene and Lupus Symptoms

Scientists at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation say they’ve found a link between dental hygiene and lupus. Angie Rolke is living proof of the connection. “After lunch, I will brush again, floss again, and then at night, I repeat that with the Waterpik,” Rolke told KOCO. “I deal with the Waterpik twice a day.” Rolke … Read more

Dental Flossing, Other Behaviors Linked with Higher Levels of PFAS in Body

A new study suggests certain types of consumer behaviors, including flossing, contribute to elevated levels in the body of toxic PFAS chemicals. PFAS are water- and grease-proof substances that have been linked with numerous health problems. The findings provide new insight into how these chemicals end up in people’s bodies and how consumers can limit … Read more

Study: Older Women Who Suffer From Tooth Loss are More Likely to Develop High Blood Pressure

Postmenopausal women who have experienced loss of all teeth are at higher risk of developing high blood pressure, according to a University at Buffalo study published Dec. 4 in the American Journal of Hypertension. Multiple studies have suggested an association between periodontal disease and tooth loss with hypertension, but the relationship with time remains unclear … Read more

Tooth Loss Can Indicate Malnutrition, Rutgers Study Says

Older adults are at risk for both impaired oral health and malnutrition, according to a study by Rutgers University researchers. The study, recently published in the Journal of Aging Research and Clinical Practice, analyzed the health records of 107 community-dwelling senior citizens treated at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine clinic between 2015 to 2016. … Read more

Thousands of Patients Consult GPs Regarding Dental Issues

A new study by the British Journal of General Practice (BJGP) shows that hundreds of thousands of patients are wrongly going to their GP requiring dental advice or work each year. Around 380,000 dental consultations occur at GP practices each year. The aim of the study was to discover why patients consult their GP rather than … Read more

Poor Oral Health Linked to Higher Blood Pressure, Worse Blood Pressure Control

People with high blood pressure taking medication for their condition are more likely to benefit from the therapy if they have good oral health, according to new research in the American Heart Association’s journal Hypertension. Findings of the analysis, based on a review of medical and dental exam records of more than 3,600 people with high … Read more

People Affected by Mental Health at Higher Risk of Poor Dental Outcomes

Researchers from The University of Western Australia say more needs to be done to help improve the quality of dental health care for people who are affected by mental health issues. In a study published this week in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, which coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week (7-13 October), the researchers found many … Read more

Dental Research Shows That Smoking Weakens Immune Systems

As if lung cancer, emphysema and heart disease weren’t enough, there’s more bad news for cigarette smokers. Researchers at the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine found that smoking also weakens the ability for pulp in teeth to fight illness and disease. In other words, smokers have fewer defense mechanisms on the inside … Read more

Connecting the Mouth and Body in 21st Century Healthcare

Philips Oral Healthcare hosted its bi-annual Symposium in Amsterdam with a series of internationally renowned speakers exploring the future of oral health and overall health Philips Oral Healthcare hosted its two-day Scientific Symposium (18th-19th June): Connecting the Mouth and Body in the 21st Century Healthcare. The Symposium preceded Philips Oral Healthcare’s attendance at EuroPerio 9 … Read more

Gap in Dentists Performing Health Assessments Caused By…

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A recent trending topic in dentistry has seen dental professionals promoting oral health’s direct effects on patients’ overall health. This is seen in campaigns, days of recognition and association messages, but it’s also become apparent for patients during their dental appointments, which will now often include a health assessment. Oral Health Group recently conducted a … Read more