Mind, Body, Mouth, it’s all connected – Blog Series – Part 2

Inflammatory Bowel Conditions

Early evidence indicates that there is a link between periodontitis and inflammatory bowel diseases in that they both share a common pathological make up and the disease outcomes are worse when both conditions are present in an individual.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the broad term used to encompass conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract including Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis. It is estimated that one in 200 Australians suffer from inflammatory bowel conditions.

Mind, Body, Mouth, it’s all connected. Dental Health Week 2023 – Inflammatory Bowel Conditions

Pregnancy

There is early evidence supporting the association between periodontitis and adverse pregnancy outcomes including preterm birth, low birth weight and preeclampsia.

The microbial imbalance in the mother’s oral cavity is thought to be linked to maternal immunity and infant health leading to some studies hypothesising this imbalance to be the link between the mouth and the adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Pregnancy related pathology in the oral cavity is most commonly found in gingival (gum) tissue. Gingival inflammation is plaque induced but modified by oestrogen and progesterone during pregnancy.

Mind, Body, Mouth, it’s all connected. Dental Health Week 2023 – Pregnancy