A review of the risks and relationships between oral health and chronic diseases.

ABSTRACT

Advances in medical science and in preventive dentistry have changed the context of oral health. The American population is living longer with numerous complex chronic diseases. This paper is to raise awareness about the impact of multiple chronic diseases and their associations with oral diseases. Comorbidities can worsen the course of dental treatment. Inflammation has been the connecting factor in the bidirectional pattern of oral and systemic diseases. High occurrences of chronic diseases generally occur in aging as well as disadvantaged populations. Serious infections, slow healing, prolonged bleeding, and hospitalizations can escalate in patients with uncontrolled chronic diseases. A multidisciplinary team-based approach to patient management can minimize complications and unexpected challenges.