Abstract
Systemic and oral health are interconnected via bacteria which may originate in the oral biofilm (plaque) which can circulate through the circulatory system. Oral biofilm and its associated periodontal health have not been frequently addressed in patients with systemic health issues. This is especially true for patients who do not respond to medical treatment from their physician for systemic issues. The clinical presence of periodontal disease (bleeding on probing, gingival inflammation) may have oral biofilm present. Periodontal reaction is dependent on the patient’s immune response to the associated bacteria and their byproducts present in the oral biofilm. Increasing evidence has emerged in recent years that are connecting oral biofilms with systemic conditions, either by initiating them or by complicating those medical conditions. Patient health needs to be considered as a whole-body system with connections that may originate in the oral cavity and have distant effects throughout the body. In order to maximize the patient’s total health, healthcare needs to be a coordinated effort between the physician and dentist to eliminate the oral biofilm and aid in the prevention of systemic disease or minimize these effects to improve the overall patient health and their quality of life. Various systemic health areas have been associated with the bacteria in oral biofilms and their byproducts. Specifically, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and pancreatic cancer have been connected to the oral biofilm. This article will discuss oral biofilm, its systemic effects related to diabetes, kidney disease, pancreatic issues and methods to control the oral biofilm and affect positive changes in the diabetic patient.