Originally published August 2017. Updated January 2022.
January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, which means it’s a great time to knock out two important preventive health visits – a dental cleaning and an eye exam. Why? Well, it turns out that your mouth may have a lot to say when it comes to the health of your eyes.
According to the American Glaucoma Society, studies have suggested that periodontal (gum) disease with recent tooth loss increases the risk of developing open-angle glaucoma (OAG). A study of nearly 40,000 men conducted over 26 years found that those who reported tooth loss with gum disease had an 86% higher risk for developing OAG.
Tackle gum disease with your eyes open! Shop our Individual & Family plans and bundle your vision and dental coverage. That's right! We offer comprehensive vision plans to keep your healthy from head to toe.
Get Your Quote
What Is Glaucoma Anyway?
Glaucoma has been labeled as the "silent thief of sight." It's a group of diseases that affect the optic nerve, causing slow and irreversible vision loss that can eventually lead to blindness. In fact, glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness worldwide, according to the CDC.
Per the Glaucoma Research Foundation, open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of the disease, accounting for 90% of all cases. OAG occurs when fluid drains too slowly from the eye, causing a buildup of pressure around the optic nerve. Like periodontal disease, it develops gradually over time; however, unlike periodontal disease, there are no early symptoms of glaucoma. By the time vision loss begins to occur, the damage has already been done.
Early detection and treatment are crucial for slowing the progression of glaucoma, which can only be diagnosed with a dilated eye exam.
How Does Gum Disease Affect Your Eyes?
Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition that affects the soft and hard structures that support the teeth. The CDC estimates that nearly half of American adults have mild to severe periodontal disease. It’s caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar on your teeth which attract harmful bacteria.
If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to bone loss, chronic bad breath, and permanent tooth loss. It can also spread that bacteria throughout the body, causing all sorts of other issues. Gum disease has been linked to everything from diabetes to dementia to heart disease.
In the case of glaucoma, experts have theorized that infections in the mouth circulate through the nervous system and eventually reach the eyes.
"The hypothesis for this link is that local infection and inflammation at the base of the tooth could release factors that travel to the eye and trigger an inflammatory response that could lead to the development of glaucoma," explains Dr. Louis Pasquale, the lead investigator of the 26-year study.
Another study from 2014 found that subjects who had glaucoma had significantly higher counts of harmful oral bacteria compared to those who didn't, indicating a strong link between gum disease and glaucoma.
Improve Your Oral Health to Reduce the Risk of Glaucoma
This information "would suggest that maintaining oral health could reduce the risk of open-angle glaucoma," says Dr. Pasquale. To do so, it's important to first take proper at-home care of your teeth and mouth:
- Brush for 2 minutes, twice a day
- Floss at least once a day
- Limit overly starchy, sugary, and acidic food and drinks that can weaken the teeth
And of course, we all know it's important to stay on top of preventative visits to your dentist. Speak with your dentist about your risk for periodontal disease and how to prevent it. If you notice early signs of gum disease such as tenderness, bleeding, or tooth sensitivity, your dentist can work with you on ways to keep the problem from getting worse and possibly even reverse it.
Tackle gum disease with your eyes open! Shop our Individual & Family plans and bundle your vision and dental coverage. That's right! We offer comprehensive vision plans to keep your healthy from head to toe.
Get Your Quote
