In the medical world, we often treat the body as a collection of separate parts. You see a cardiologist for your heart, a podiatrist for your feet, and a dentist for your teeth.
But your body doesn’t work in “departments.” It is one interconnected highway of blood vessels and nerves. And at the center of that highway is your mouth.
At Sekhon Dental – Dentist Agoura Hills, we’ve spent 47+ years observing a truth that modern science is only now shouting from the rooftops: Your gums are the “canary in the coal mine” for your entire body.
The “Hidden Gateway” to Your Bloodstream
Imagine your gums as a protective seal around your teeth. When that seal is healthy, it keeps bacteria where they belong—outside your body.
However, when gum disease (periodontitis) sets in, that seal breaks down. Your gums become inflamed, and the tissue becomes “leaky.” This creates a direct gateway for oral bacteria to enter your bloodstream. Once those bacteria are “hitchhiking” through your veins, they don’t just stay in your mouth.
The Heart-Mouth Connection
The most startling discovery in recent years is the link between gum health and cardiovascular disease.
Research suggests that the same bacteria found in dental plaque can also be found in the fatty deposits (plaques) in the arteries of the heart. When these bacteria travel to the heart, they trigger inflammation, which can lead to:
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Hardening of the arteries (Atherosclerosis)
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Increased risk of stroke
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Endocarditis (infection of the heart lining)
The Diabetes Double-Edged Sword
The relationship between your gums and blood sugar is a “two-way street.”
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High blood sugar makes it harder for your body to fight infections, leading to more severe gum disease.
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Severe gum disease makes it harder for the body to process insulin, which can actually spike your blood sugar levels.
By treating a patient’s gums, Dr. Navjot Sekhon, DDS, FAGD, often sees a corresponding improvement in their diabetic management.
What to Look For: The “Red Flag” Checklist
Dr. Sekhon, as a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, looks for these subtle signs during every exam:
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Persistent Bad Breath: This can be the smell of “volatile sulfur compounds” produced by systemic bacteria.
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Gums that “Bleed for No Reason”: This is a sign of an open wound in your mouth.
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Loose Teeth: This indicates bone loss that may be accelerated by inflammation elsewhere in the body.
A “Total Health” Approach in Agoura Hills
When you visit Dr. Sekhon, she isn’t just checking for cavities. She is looking at the color, texture, and attachment of your gums to ensure your “early warning system” isn’t shouting for help.
With our 3D CBCT imaging, we can see deep into the bone structure to identify hidden infections that might be taxing your immune system without you even knowing it.
Don’t wait for a heart scare to take your gum health seriously.