Why oral hygiene is key to whole-body health
A CLC Connects Podcast
In this episode of CLC Connects, host Jessey Prugh sits down again with Dental Hygiene Instructor Julie Boldt to shine a light on the importance of oral hygiene, which is key to whole-body health.
Julie provides tips for maintaining oral hygiene at home. She explains what occurs during a dental exam and how to minimize going-to-the-dentist anxiety.
College of Lake County operates a Dental Hygiene Clinic, a great, low-cost resource open to the public. Located at the Lakeshore Campus, the clinic is affordable and offers cleanings and exams. If you're interested, call (847) 543-2172 to schedule an appointment.
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This following podcast transcript was generated with help from artificial intelligence.
Jessey Prugh: Welcome to CLC Connects, the podcast where you connect with CLC experts on topics that matter to you. Today, we're discussing dental hygiene with faculty member and dental hygienist, Julie Boldt. Julie will share insights on managing dental anxiety and fears that many of us experience when visiting the dentist. She'll also discuss the connection between oral health and overall body health and provide tips for maintaining good oral hygiene. Lastly, Julie will reveal a great Lake County secret: an ultra-low-cost dental clinic at our Lakeshore Campus that's open to the public.
Welcome to CLC Connects, Julie Boldt!
Julie Boldt: Thank you!
Jessey: You’ve been a dental hygienist for 21 years. How did you get into this field?
Julie: Yes, I have! I started out in college majoring in pre-med. When I got to organic chemistry in my junior year—often known as the "flunk-out" class for pre-med majors—I realized it was extremely challenging. On the first day, the professor said, "Look to your left, look to your right. One of you will fail my class." That was quite a way to start! So, that year I began reevaluating my career path. I wanted to stay home with kids, at least part-time, if I had children. I knew becoming a physician would make that difficult for the first decade.
Ultimately, after a combination of struggling with organic chemistry and reconsidering my goals, I decided to get a biology degree. I took a year off to think about my future in healthcare. I explored various health care fields and spoke with family friends who were dental hygienists. After observing them, I realized I could complete just two more years of schooling, work hands-on with people, and stay in a healthcare environment. It felt like a perfect fit.
Jessey: That’s a great story! It's impressive that you didn't let that initial setback deter you from a career in healthcare. Now, we’re here to talk about dental hygiene and its effects on overall health. When I'm at the dentist, I often can’t see what’s happening, which can be intimidating. Can you explain what goes on during an exam?
Julie: Certainly! We begin with a thorough assessment. In a dental office, the assessment may be more compact than what we do at our clinic at CLC. We start by checking the lymph nodes around your neck, performing a general head and neck exam. If we find any hard or fixed lymph nodes, it could indicate a serious issue like cancer.
Next, we examine your mouth, looking at every soft and hard tissue structure to ensure everything appears normal. Any abnormalities are documented and may require referrals. We also perform dentition charting, which details your fillings, crowns, bridges, and implants. This documentation is essential; in forensic cases, dental records are often the first step in identifying remains.
We also conduct periodontal charting to assess for gum disease. We measure around each tooth to check where the gums attach. If they’re not high enough, it indicates less support and potential gum disease. We take X-rays to diagnose periodontal disease and identify cavities or other issues. X-rays can reveal problems that aren’t visible during a visual exam.
After collecting all this information, we reached a diagnosis. While hygienists can't diagnose cavities—that's reserved for dentists—we can diagnose periodontal disease based on our assessments, which helps us develop a treatment plan.
Jessey: That’s fascinating! Periodontal disease is critical to address, especially considering its potential impact on overall body health. What are some tips you have for overcoming dental anxiety?
Julie: There are several strategies we can implement to help ease your anxiety. I typically slow down the process and explain each step before I proceed. I use a calm voice to reassure patients that coming in for an appointment is a significant step.
We also offer nitrous oxide, known as laughing gas, which can help reduce anxiety. Additionally, we can administer local anesthetics, as long as patients are comfortable with that. Understanding why someone is fearful is important, so I ask open-ended questions to address their concerns.
Jessey: Do you find that people have common fears about dental visits?
Julie: Yes, many fears stem from past negative experiences—like a heavy-handed dentist or a history of frequent cavities. Some patients avoid the dentist for years and feel overwhelmed when they finally come in as adults.
Jessey: How common is dental anxiety?
Julie: It's quite common. Most people experience some level of anxiety. When we take vitals, for instance, we often find elevated blood pressure due to anxiety.
Jessey: How are hygienists trained to handle patients with high anxiety?
Julie: In our training, we focus on empathy and understanding patients' fears. We learn to communicate in reassuring ways, asking about sensitivity and adjusting our techniques accordingly. Empathy is crucial in healthcare; it can significantly impact how well we treat our patients.
Jessey: That leads us to the connection between oral health and overall body health. Can you explain this link?
Julie: Absolutely! We’ve learned that the body and mind are interconnected. Many studies show associations between systemic diseases—like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and respiratory diseases—and oral health. For example, periodontal disease can make it harder to control blood sugar levels in diabetes due to inflammation. Moreover, as periodontal disease progresses, harmful bacteria can enter the bloodstream through damaged tissue, potentially causing issues in other body systems.
Jessey: What are some examples of systemic diseases linked to oral health?
Julie: Pneumonia is one example, particularly aspiration pneumonia, which occurs when bacteria from the mouth are inhaled into the lungs. This is more common in immunocompromised individuals, such as the elderly in care facilities. There’s also research suggesting links between Alzheimer's disease and oral pathogens found in the brains of affected patients. Additionally, cardiovascular disease is closely associated with periodontal disease, with the American Heart Association listing it as a risk factor for heart disease.
Jessey: Wow, that’s eye-opening. It’s important to recognize that regular dental visits are crucial for our overall health. Beyond seeing the dentist every six months, what can we do at home for oral hygiene?
Julie: Yes, maintaining good oral hygiene at home is essential. We recommend brushing your teeth twice a day, and yes, the toothpaste you choose matters.
Jessey: Does the type of toothpaste make a difference?
Julie: Absolutely! Look for toothpaste with the ADA seal of approval, which indicates it has undergone rigorous testing to ensure its claims are valid.
Toothpaste can provide sensitivity relief if it contains the right proven ingredients. If you look around at different toothpaste brands, you'll notice some carry a seal indicating they've undergone specific tests, while others do not. Obtaining that seal can be costly and time-consuming, so not all brands invest the resources to get it. But choosing toothpaste with that seal ensures you're getting what it claims to offer.
Another crucial ingredient is fluoride. Fluoride helps mineralize your enamel, which is the outermost layer of your teeth and actually harder than bone. This hardness is intentional because acidic foods can gradually wear down tooth enamel. For example, if acid were to touch your shirt, it would eat through the fabric, and the same principle applies to your teeth. Fluoride strengthens enamel, making it less prone to decay.
Teeth are in a constant state of remineralization and demineralization. Eating sugary foods leads to acid production from bacteria, which can erode enamel. Fluoride exposure on a daily basis can help counteract this process.
Jessey: What about mouthwashes?
Julie: Mouthwashes can be therapeutic or cosmetic. Therapeutic mouthwashes can kill bacteria, while cosmetic ones mainly freshen breath. There are also fluoride mouthwashes, which are particularly beneficial for children and adults prone to cavities.
A well-known therapeutic mouthwash is Listerine. While it contains alcohol, which can dry out the mouth and gums, it’s generally safe for those without prior dryness. On the other hand, Scope is gentler and popular, but it’s not therapeutic—it mainly freshens breath without addressing bacteria.
Jessey: Is it possible to overuse mouthwash and eliminate good bacteria?
Julie: Yes, we recommend using therapeutic mouthwash only twice a day for 30 seconds each time. Overuse can disrupt the balance of bacteria in your mouth, killing both harmful and beneficial bacteria.
Flossing is another common recommendation, though many people dislike it. Water flossers are an alternative that many find effective.
Flossers now utilize a combination of water and air, which studies show can effectively remove plaque biofilm. Biofilm is a community of bacteria that forms on teeth, and if not removed within 24 hours, it hardens into tartar.
Tartar itself isn't harmful; it just provides a rough surface for more plaque to adhere to, leading to dental issues.
Jessey: I love using a water flosser; it feels good on my gums!
Julie: I agree! They can be quite enjoyable to use.
Jessey: Is there anything else I should remember for dental care?
Julie: Visit your dentist regularly—every six months for most people. Those with periodontal disease might need more frequent visits. Regular check-ups help catch issues before they become serious.
Jessey: I’m convinced! I’ll brush twice a day, use therapeutic mouthwash, visit the dentist every six months, floss daily, and choose ADA-approved toothpaste with fluoride.
Julie: While there are varying opinions on how often to floss, it's important to do so at night when saliva production decreases, allowing bacteria to thrive.
Jessey: Can you tell us about the dental clinic at the Lakeshore Campus?
Julie: Yes! Our clinic is open to the public, and students treat patients under instructor supervision. Appointments take about three and a half hours and cost only $15, covering a range of services, including cleanings, x-rays, and fluoride treatments. It's a great deal for comprehensive dental care.
Jessey: How can people visit the clinic?
Julie: You can call our clinic located at 111 N. Genesee St., Waukegan, IL 60085, at (847) 543-2172 to set up an appointment.
Jessey: Thank you for joining us! Everyone should check out the dental clinic; it’s a fantastic resource for our community.
Julie: Absolutely! We’d love to see more patients. Thank you!