The Mouth-to-Eye Connection!
A warm welcome to our guest writer, Leanne Oswald. Leanne is a Registered Dental Hygienist, a fellow "Birdie" diagnosed in 2003, and a founding member of Birdshot Uveitis Society of North America.
Leanne considers "patient education" the most important aspect of her work as a dental hygienist. In today's piece she not only shares what we need to know about dental care; she also updates us on important research that is especially relevant to those of us with birdshot uveitis and/or other eye diseases.
written by Leanne Oswald
What does oral health have to do with eye health? Good question! Until recently most people would not suspect that oral health had anything to do with general health, let alone eye health.
We've known since the 1950’s that oral bacteria can enter into the bloodstream. Today, research continues to emerge on the oral-systemic link, and the critical role oral health plays in overall health, including eye health.
The mouth is a gateway to the body. If we have poor oral health, including untreated periodontal (gum) disease and tooth decay, our entire body can be affected. Systemic diseases associated with periodontal disease bacteria are, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease, cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, and Adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre mature and low birth rates.
Research shows these bacteria can enter both the bloodstream and lymphatic system, and then travel to the eyes. This can cause an inflammatory response which can lead to eye diseases such as orbital cellulitis, macular degeneration, cataracts, open-angled glaucoma, and cancers of the eye.
Periodontal disease is often insidious in the early stages. Since most people are not even aware they have it, the disease can “fester” for years. Unless a patient is seen at a dental office on a regular basis, the issue might not be diagnosed until it has reached an advanced stage.
Symptoms of periodontal disease may include swollen red and bleeding gums, bad breath,
receding gums, shifting and loosening teeth, exudate (pus), and periodontal abscesses. It's best to see your dental office professional team at least twice a year for dental x-ray films, exams including checking for cavities, abscesses, oral cancer screening, periodontal probing and evaluation, thorough teeth cleaning, periodontal therapies if indicated, and home dental health care instructions. Often, for more advanced treatments such as surgery, a referral to a periodontist will be ordered.
Some at-home oral care routines that I see as extremely valuable are electric toothbrushes, water flossers, anti microbial mouthwashes, dry mouth products containing xylitol, prescription fluoride toothpastes, and interproximal cleaning products such as dental floss, tape, soft picks, rubber tips, proxabrushes, anything that removes the harmful biofilm (formerly called plaque) gently but effectively.
New oral prebiotic products have been recently developed to help maintain a healthy oral microbiome. These products are especially helpful for people with dry mouth issues. Your dental professional will be more than happy to recommend a customized home care regimen for you, and show you how to use any of these products. I can not stress enough how important excellent dental care is for everyone to prevent dental and systemic disease.
In 2016, the National Eye Institute researchers discovered that there are resident protective bacterium that live on and around the eye that help protect the eyes from infections. They discourage the overuse of antibiotics and antibiotic eye drops because such medication can decrease the proportion of helpful microbes on the eyes. Other factors that can also affect this healthy microbiome are age, ethnicity, dry eye disease, the use of contacts, oral health and overall health status.
Thankfully pre and probiotic eye drops have emerged on the market to help restore healthy eye microbiome. If you suffer from dry eyes or other issues that can alter your healthy eye microbiome, ask your eye professional if these prebiotic eye drops are recommended for your condition.
On another note, March is National Workplace Eye Wellness Month. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020 around 20,000 eye injuries occurred in the work place environment.
Having a disease like Birdshot Uveitis is challenging enough, but there are several things you can do to protect your eyes, wherever you happen to be:
Wear safety glasses during your dental appointment. Dental professionals, of course, wear safety glasses and face shields, but patients are also at risk for eye injuries from flying debris, paste, saliva, chemicals that can cause corneal abrasions, tears and eye infections. It is now mandatory for dental patients to wear safety glasses.
Control eye strain when using devices. Take computer breaks, use dry eye drops, wear blue light glasses, and look away from the screen often.
Wear protective UVA and UVB sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun's rays. Anti glare glasses can help with night driving.
In conclusion, research shows that the eye-to-mouth connection can cause systemic eye disease. The good news is that with proper home care, and professional dental and ophthalmology appointments, these ill effects can be lessened, if not prevented. I hope this knowledge inspires you to do what you can to stay healthy!
Thank you Leanne for sharing this important information with us. And congratulations on your long and rewarding career as a dental hygienist! We are all wishing you a happy and healthy soon-to-be retirement!