Glaucoma and Your Oral Health
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma occurs when a buildup of fluid causes pressure in the eyes to increase to abnormal levels, damaging the optic nerve. The resulting nerve damage causes partial or total blindness in the affected eye. After it occurs, this vision loss can’t be reversed, but early treatment to reduce eye pressure may reduce or halt the damage.
More than 3 million people in the United States have glaucoma, and the number of people who have the disease is expected to more than double by 2050, according to the National Eye Institute. While anyone, including children, can get glaucoma, the condition is most common in:
- People over age 60
- African American over age 40
- People who have a family history of the disease
How is glaucoma connected to oral health?
Various studies suggest a connection between poor oral health and glaucoma. A 26-year study of more than 40,000 men over the age of 40 found a correlation between tooth loss and primary open-angle glaucoma.
The study found that the risk for glaucoma was 43% greater in men who had lost at least one tooth than those who didn’t lose any teeth. When periodontal disease was also factored in, the glaucoma risk for men with tooth loss increased to 86% higher than men with no tooth loss.
While the specific cause isn’t certain, researchers speculate that bacteria at the site of the tooth loss can cause inflammation, which triggers microbes and cytokines that can affect the eyes.
What can you do if you have glaucoma?
- Be sure to review your personal and family medical history with your dentist, including if glaucoma runs in your family.
- If you have glaucoma or are at risk for the disease, schedule regular dental cleanings. Preventative care not only helps improve the health of your teeth and gums, it can also help improve your overall health and prevent conditions that lead to inflammation, which can contribute to worsening glaucoma.
- Be sure to follow the treatment plan prescribed by your dentist. Along with tooth loss, periodontitis has been linked to inflammation and other health problems.
- Don’t be afraid to speak up. If you are visually unable to take in all aspects of your appointment, such as viewing x-rays, let us know. We will do our best to explain all procedures, images, or anything else that should be known.
- Let your dentist know if you prefer phone calls or e-mail reminders instead of paper notifications via mail.
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