A compelling study I recently read found that treating gum disease can reduce overall healthcare costs by 28%. That’s a significant figure. The explanation is straightforward: gum disease is an inflammatory condition, and inflammation in the mouth contributes to systemic health problems. Viewed purely from a cost perspective, the oral-systemic connection delivers clear savings for healthcare systems and patients alike.
This evidence highlights how important dentists—especially those practicing functional or integrative dentistry—are in lowering rates of chronic illness. I often say it and will repeat it: you cannot be truly healthy without a healthy mouth. General health begins with oral health.
I discuss this study in greater detail on my newest podcast episode, where I answer a listener’s question about whether dentists and physicians need to communicate about a patient’s care. I take a firm stance on this: if your dentist and doctor are not in communication, your health could be at risk. If this idea is new to you, that episode is particularly worth listening to.
Here’s the link to the study for your review. Feel free to share it by forwarding this page or the study itself. As always, you can reply to this message to reach me—I read every message and do my best to respond to as many people as possible.
Thank you to everyone who has already left podcast reviews. If you haven’t yet, I’d greatly appreciate a review on your preferred platform such as iTunes or Spotify; every review helps the show reach more listeners.
Wishing you a great week,
P.S. If you’ve been considering an oral microbiome test, Bristle has recently added free one-on-one coaching with each test. Someone from Bristle will review your results and help create a personalized plan for improvement. I encourage people to take advantage of this while it’s available. I serve on Bristle’s advisory board and believe these tests can change how we identify and manage oral disease, supporting better overall wellness. Use code “DRB” for 10% off at checkout.