Why patients still don't "get" the oral-systemic link

Oral health is more than just teeth and gums. It’s a vital component of overall wellness. Dental hygienists play a critical role in strengthening the connection between dentistry and medicine by integrating evidence-based care, conducting thorough health history assessments, and educating patients on the oral-systemic link.

Emerging research continues to highlight the relationship between oral disease and systemic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Yet, despite these findings, oral health remains largely overlooked in general health-care conversations. By partnering with medical professionals and prioritizing comprehensive patient care, dental hygienists help bridge this gap, ensuring oral health is recognized as an essential part of total wellness.

What science tells us: The research behind oral-systemic health

Oral bacteria and stroke

Researchers found that individuals with harmful bacterial strains, such as Streptococcus anginosus, had a higher likelihood of experiencing blood vessel inflammation and clot formation.¹ While this strain of bacteria is typically harmless in the mouth, it can become opportunistic and contribute to infections such as periodontitis or dental abscesses. This further supports what dental professionals have long understood: the health of the mouth is deeply connected to overall wellness. As advocates for preventive care, dental hygienists continue to play a crucial role in identifying potential risk factors and educating patients on the importance of maintaining a balanced oral microbiome.

The gut-oral axis—a new frontier in medicine

The gut microbiome has been a hot topic in medical research, but now scientists are paying closer attention to the oral microbiome, the ecosystem of bacteria in the mouth, and its impact on gut health, IBD, and overall wellness.² Up to 35% of people with IBD experience oral manifestations such as aphthous ulcers, inflammation, and dry mouth, according to a study published in Time in 2025.² The findings suggest a strong link between oral bacteria and gut inflammation.

Genetics and oral-systemic health

According to an ADA article about genetics and oral health, periodontal disease develops through a combination of factors including the subgingival microbiome, genetic influences, lifestyle habits, and overall systemic health.³ Research suggests that an individual’s genetic makeup can make them more vulnerable, and when coupled with a bacterial challenge, the disease is triggered. Ultimately, the condition arises from the interaction between the body’s immune response and these harmful bacteria.³

How do patients see oral-systemic health?

Despite mounting scientific evidence, many patients still view oral health as separate from overall health. For decades, dentistry has been treated as an isolated field, distinct from general medicine. This disconnect has contributed to poor awareness of oral-systemic health risks.

Patients prioritize pain over prevention: Many people seek dental care only when they experience pain, rather than as a preventive measure.

Lack of medical-dental integration: Unlike primary care providers, dentists rarely have direct access to a patient’s full medical history, which limits interdisciplinary communication.

Social and cultural barriers: In some communities, oral health is seen as nonessential compared to medical health, leading to disparities in care and outcomes.

Financial constraints: Many insurance plans separate medical and dental coverage, making it harder for patients to afford comprehensive care.

Rethinking how we connect oral health to wellness

The key to bridging the gap between research and patient understanding lies in clear, relatable messaging. As dental hygienists, we dedicate time, energy, and education to sharing cutting-edge research on the oral-systemic connection, yet we still face the persistent challenge of ensuring our patients truly absorb and act on the information we provide.

The question isn’t just how we communicate oral-systemic health but why the message isn’t always getting through. The hard truth is that literacy gaps, health misinformation, and even our approach to patient education can create disconnects that prevent patients from fully understanding the impact of oral health on their overall well-being.

But this isn’t about what we’re doing wrong; it’s about how we can evolve to meet the needs of today’s patients. Our role isn’t just to inform, but to connect, adapt, and engage. Are we speaking in a way that resonates with our patients, or are we unknowingly overwhelming them with clinical jargon? Are we leveraging modern tools to make information more digestible and actionable?

The key isn’t to preach but to teach in ways that patients can relate to and apply to their daily lives. Hearing stories from so many hygienists who keep this at the forefront of their care is truly inspiring and reinforces the power of meeting patients with understanding and intention. Let’s consider practical ways to modernize patient communication, making it easier to connect patients to our message of health and wellness.

Digital visual aids and chairside technology

Many patients are visual learners, yet we often rely on verbal explanations alone. Using intraoral cameras, digital periodontal charts, or animated videos on tablets can help patients see rather than just hear about the impact of oral health on systemic conditions. Seeing inflammation or bone loss firsthand is often more powerful than simply describing it.

Simplifying health literacy with everyday analogies

Instead of saying, “Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition linked to systemic health concerns,” we can break it down in relatable terms: “Think of gum disease like an open wound on your arm—if you had a cut that stayed red, swollen, and infected for years, it would eventually start affecting the rest of your body. That’s what happens with uncontrolled gum disease.”

Interactive and personalized learning

Not all patients retain information the same way. Some benefit from QR codes on educational pamphlets that link to videos, while others may engage more with personalized text message reminders or interactive apps that track oral health habits. Incorporating AI-driven health assessments or gamified learning tools can further reinforce key messages in ways that fit into patients’ everyday routines.

Breaking communication barriers doesn’t mean doing more; it means working smarter. That can look like using digital forms or text reminders to make check-in easier, explaining periodontal disease with a visual chairside app instead of a handout, or offering quick oral hygiene tips on platforms your patients already use, such as Instagram. By embracing technology, simplifying complex concepts, and meeting patients where they are, we can ensure that oral-systemic health isn’t just something we talk about, but that it’s something patients truly understand and act on.

Bridging the divide: Breaking down barriers to interdisciplinary care

For years, we’ve talked about the importance of integrating dental and medical care, yet systemic barriers continue to stall real progress. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of seamless communication between medical and dental providers. Electronic medical records (EMRs) don’t always sync with dental software, leaving critical patient health data siloed in separate systems.⁴

A patient’s history of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or even pregnancy may be thoroughly documented in their medical records, but without direct integration, that information may never reach the dental office where it could influence treatment planning.

Likewise, early signs of periodontal disease, an indicator of systemic inflammation, often go unrecognized in primary care settings because there’s no efficient way for physicians to access dental findings. The disconnect is clear, and until we improve data-sharing across disciplines efficiently, patients will continue to experience the consequences of a fragmented health-care system.

While technology plays a role, it’s not the sole answer. We also need a shift in how we approach patient conversations. Medical professionals should routinely ask about oral health, just as dental professionals must be intentional about discussing systemic health concerns.

Imagine if every physician’s intake form included a simple yet meaningful oral health screening question. What if dental teams were automatically alerted that there has been a change in a patient’s medical health to prompt inquiry? These conversations shouldn’t be separate but should be part of the same holistic approach. And while we, as dental hygienists, are trained to recognize these connections, the burden shouldn’t fall solely on individual providers—it should be built into the infrastructure of health care itself.

Until we break through the red tape of outdated systems and inconsistent communication, we’ll remain stuck in a cycle where oral and systemic health are treated as separate entities, despite the overwhelming evidence that they are deeply intertwined. It’s time for health care to function as one unified system working in the best interest of the patient.

Final thoughts: Why this matters now

Oral-systemic health is no longer just a concept. It’s already transforming patient care and shaping the future of how we treat and prevent disease. As dental hygienists, we must remain nimble and at the forefront of this movement. By modernizing how we communicate, making science relatable, and strengthening collaboration between dentistry and medicine, we have the power to drive real change.

Each step we take, whether refining our patient conversations, integrating new technologies, or fostering interdisciplinary connections, moves us forward, elevating the standard of care. When we lead with knowledge, innovation, and patient-centeredness, we don’t just improve oral health, we also elevate the entire health-care system. Let’s keep driving progress! 

Related reading: What to look for in a true oral-systemic dental practice

Editor's note: This article appeared in the August/September 2025 print edition of RDH magazine. Dental hygienists in North America are eligible for a complimentary print subscription. Sign up here.

References

1. Myers C. Your gut health could predict your stroke risk—here’s what you can do about it. EatingWell. Updated February 10, 2025. https://www.eatingwell.com/stroke-risk-bacteria-study-8785920
2. Klein S. The surprising relationship between oral health and IBD. Time. December 2, 2024. https://time.com/7199308/ibd-oral-dental-health-connection/
3. Genetics and oral health. American Dental Association. Updated October 24, 2023. https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/genetics-and-oral-health
4. Simon L, Obadan-Udoh E, Yansane A-I, et al. Improving oral-systemic healthcare through the interoperability of electronic medical and dental records: an exploratory study. Appl Clin Inform. 2019;10(03):367-376. doi:10.1055/s-0039-1688832