Degenerative Disease- Oral Signs and Symptoms

Oral Signs and Symptoms of

Degenerative Disease

What are the oral signs of degenerative disease.

In holistic dentistry, we are always considering that there could be underlying causes to what presents in our patients’ mouths.

There are six biochemical defects that are common to every degenerative disease. The defects have symptoms that will be present with signs and symptoms that can be detected in the mouth to varying degrees. :

Oral Signs of Degenerative Disease

1. pH Imbalance – Acid or Alkaline Imbalance – this is when the pH of bodily fluids is out of balance. Acid stress is very common and underlines 80 percent of all diseases. Oral symptoms include bone resorption, tooth decay, candida, and bacterial infections in the gum and/or bone.

2. Anaerobic Metabolism – the body gains energy from a mix of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism but it favours aerobic metabolism. If the body starts using too much anaerobic metabolism, fatigue, disease, and infections begin to occur. Oral symptoms include bone resorption, tooth decay, candida, and bacterial infections in the gum and/or bone.

3. Free Calcium Excess – in a good state of health 55 percent of serum calcium is bound to protein or alkaline buffers while 45 percent is in a “free” state. If the ratio narrows too much free calcium occurs and this can cause calcification, bone resorption, and alterations in cell signalling, which can then result in a range of diseases. Oral symptoms include calculus on the teeth and calcium deposits.

4. Chronic Inflammation – acute inflammation helps the body to heal itself but if it is chronic it begins to fail its purpose, raising the risk of infection, toxicity, and all diseases. Oral symptoms include periodontitis gum tissue destruction.

5. Connective Tissue Breakdown – connective tissue makes up the superstructure of the body and helps to literally hold the body together. Enzymes produced by chronic inflammation along with damaging free radicals cause the connective tissues to begin to break down. Oral symptoms include bleeding gums, loosening teeth, and periodontal diseases.

6. Oxidative Stress– this is when the anti-oxidants are not able to cope with levels of damaging free radicals. Oral symptoms include ageing, fissuring of the lips, dry skin, and inflammation at the corners of the mouth.

It these mouth symptoms are detected it can indicate underlying health issues that may warrant further medical investigation.