Dear Friend

We all know the body's systems are interconnected, but few of us know that the health of a woman's smile is strongly influenced by hormones and, in turn, may be an indicator of her cardiovascular and systemic health. At the Academy of General Dentistry, where research shows over 90 percent of all systemic diseases have oral symptoms, spokesperson E. Mac Edington DDS, MAGD, ABGD advises, "Educating consumers on the link between oral and overall health can help save lives."

The Report Card on Oral Health is Not Good

The American Dental Association reports that some degree of gum disease affects 75% of adults aged 35 and over. The cause for concern is more than 300 species of bacteria that live in the mouth. Left to their own devices, these bacteria can form colonies between the tooth and gum, leading to gingivitis, an inflammation of the gum and tissues. Gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, a chronic, low-grade infection where the infected gum pulls away from the teeth and forms a growing pocket that allows infection to spread. Unchecked, bacteria can eventually eat away the bone beneath the gums, loosening teeth and threatening tooth loss.

The Link to Systemic Health

When bacterial colonies multiply, any tear in the gum can form a spillway through which bacteria and toxic inflammatory compounds can enter the blood stream. If the body's autoimmune response falls short, the consequences can be widespread.

Oral bacteria have been shown to enter the fatty deposits in the carotid arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease by 25% in those with unhealthy gums. In fact, a recent study found that oral health scores were a stronger predictor of heart disease risk than well-studied factors like cholesterol levels. Bacteria are also thought to mix with blood-clotting cells to form clumps that irritate blood vessels, increasing the risk of stroke, and form cell-damaging, low-grade infections, which can contribute to other systemic disease. Other research shows that severe periodontal disease often accompanies diabetes mellitus and that periodontal disease is suspected to be a possible cause of respiratory disease. A substantial body of studies even shows that mothers with dental disease run a substantially higher risk of having premature, underweight babies than moms with healthy mouths.

Hormones Play a Big Role in a Woman's Oral Health

"Women have special oral health needs and considerations that men do not have," says the American Dental Association. "Hormonal fluctuations have a surprisingly strong influence on the oral cavity." Changes in estrogen and progesterone that start at puberty correlate with an increase in gingivitis in young women. For many adult women, hormonal change before menstruation brings with it cyclical oral changes such as bleeding gums, swollen salivary glands, canker sores, and gingivitis that clear up shortly after menstruation begins. Women taking oral contraceptives may also experience inflamed gum tissue. Pregnancy gingivitis occurs in 60% to 75% of women during the second to eighth month of pregnancy due to an increased level of progesterone.

At menopause, when hormone levels decline, many oral changes can occur. Burning mouth syndrome, altered taste perception, and dryness of the mouth are common complaints of postmenopausal women. The decline in estrogen that occurs with menopause puts women at greater risk for loss of bone density, including the jaw bone. Numerous studies support the hypothesis that systemic bone loss may contribute to tooth loss in otherwise healthy women.

Improving Your Oral Health

So how can you maximize your oral health? First, by looking beyond the cosmetic effects of popular whiteners, toothpastes, and mouthwashes for active ingredients proven to promote oral health. Some of these include coenzyme Q-10, xylitol, folic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and tea tree oil.

Beta glucan is a powerful natural ingredient that can help ward off oral bacteria, heal tissue, and boost the immune system. Derived from the cell walls of yeast and cereal fibers such as oats, beta glucan has been shown to stimulate the activity of a type of white blood cells known as macrophages. Because the oral cavity is a primary entryway for foreign material into the body, it contains a high concentration of macrophage cells. These cells are the immune system's first line of defense for removing cells damaged through oxidation, recognizing and killing tumor cells, speeding up recovery of damaged tissue, and stimulating other components of the immune system.

Natural hormone replacement therapy (NHRT) is also a consideration for oral health. NHRT can be especially helpful for postmenopausal women concerned with bone loss. Among studies supporting this idea, a 1999 study concluded that, in women with signs of osteoporosis, estrogen supplementation may lower gingival inflammation and destruction of the jaw bone, thus helping retain otherwise healthy teeth.

We want to help keep you smiling for many years to come. If you have questions about the relationship between oral health, hormones, and systemic health, or the benefits of NHRT, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

In Good Health,

The Miracle Glucan

Some of the best products on the shelves of Women's Health America are the result of Marla's personal quest to find a solution for a friend's or patient's health care challenge. If you or someone you know is looking for help, email Marla at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Beta 1,3 1,6 glucan - literally hundreds of scientific reports attest to its ability to enhance the immune system.

This miracle glucan strengthens your body's defenses by stimulating macrophages, the large white blood cells found in all tissues. These cells are a primary defense system for our bodies, identifying abnormal conditions and activating the appropriate therapeutic response. They literally devour bacteria, foreign cells, dead and dying cells, mutated cells, cancerous cells, and other negative invaders.

Beta glucan stimulates macrophage cells to be more active, thereby producing a widespread strengthening of the body's immune response. Beta glucan has been shown to have a dramatic effect in improving oral health. It has also been shown to help lower cholesterol and triglycerides, normalize blood sugar, improve response to cancer therapies, and improve the skin.

While most beta glucan products on the market today are only 15% to 60% beta glucan, Women's Health America is pleased to introduce Glucan 491?, the only pharmaceutical-grade beta glucan available, and the only product that is 98.6% beta glucan.

Glucan 491 is available to dental professionals now in specially formulated oral health products from Women's Health America. If you are interested in toothpaste, mouthwash, or oral capsules formulated with Glucan 491, have your dentist contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 800.558.7046.