Oral-systemic connection: Role of preventive dental care

A recent case report demonstrated the systemic effects of poor oral health.

In the report, published in the American Journal of Case Reports, researchers described a 65-year-old male patient who presented with malaise and neck stiffness. Following evaluation, clinicians found that the patient had extensive inflammation, leukocytosis, increased procalcitonin and D-dimer levels, and a retropharyngeal abscess impacting the spinal cord. The patient underwent a preoperative airway assessment and was noted to have poor oral hygiene and extensive dental caries — representing an odontogenic origin for the symptoms. Despite clinicians identifying the source, the patient later developed sepsis and heart failure, resulting in his death.

The researchers emphasized that untreated dental caries can have systemic consequences, resulting in severe infections and, potentially, mortality. The findings reinforced the oral-systemic link and highlighted the critical need for early interventions to prevent life-threatening infections related to neglected oral health issues.

Read more: American Journal of Case Reports

The article presented here is intended to inform you about the broader media perspective on dentistry, regardless of its alignment with the ADA's stance. It is important to note that publication of an article does not imply the ADA's endorsement, agreement, or promotion of its content.