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How The Lymphatic System Impacts Dental Health?

What is the Lymphatic System?

The human lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs made up mostly of lymphatic vessels, which are somewhat similar to the circulatory system’s veins and capillaries. It helps the body get rid of waste, toxins, and other unwanted materials.

The lymphatic vessels transport lymph, a clear, colorless fluid. The name derives from the Latin word “lympha,” meaning “connected to water.” Lymph is rich in the white blood cells that combat infection.

The lymphatic vessels connect to lymph nodes that filter the lymph. Hundreds of lymph nodes are present in the body from the head down to around the knees and are found both deep inside and near the surface, for example, in the armpits and groin.

The spleen, thymus, adenoids, and tonsils are all components of the lymphatic system. The spleen is the largest of the lymphatic organs. It filters blood to control the number of red blood cells, regulates blood storage, and detects potentially dangerous viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms in the blood, it, along with the lymph nodes, creates white blood cells called lymphocytes to protect against the unwanted organisms by generating antibodies that destroy them and prevent infection from spreading. (This is why, although people can live without a spleen, those who lack them are more susceptible to infection.)

The Lymphatic System and Dental Health:

From the above, it’s easy to extrapolate how the lymphatic system impacts dental health in particular. The tissues in the teeth and gums are, after all, parts of the body and share in all its needs and vulnerabilities. The blood that flows there needs to be cleaned to eliminate toxins, produce a healthy resistance to infection, and keep the teeth and gums free of disease and pain.

Drainage Considerations of the Lymphatic System:

So we know that the lymphatic tissue helps with detoxing of the body and helps boost the immune system. But what happens when the system is damaged somehow? Damage to lymphatic vessels,nodes, and tissues, whether it is the result of surgery or from trauma will have a negative effect on the functioning of the system.  Post-surgical swelling is common when lymphatic tissues are involved and during recovery, the drainage is impaired. It is important to watch closely for infections and other signs of toxicity during this time. Dysfunction or injury to the lymphatic system that is severe and not properly monitored or that does not heal as it should will result in long-term consequences including lymphatic swelling or lymphedema. Why does this matter in regards to dental health? Many dental procedures, even simple cleanings, expose teeth and gums and carry a small chance for infections; surgical procedure and more involved treatments have a higher risk. This, combined with a lymphatic system that is not operating as it should mean that side effects could potentially be severe.  In addition, long-term dental trauma and health will be determined by how the lymphatic system impacts dental health:

“When a tooth gets infected or has a mercury filling, its contents drain via the lymphatic system (drainage system of the body) to the entire body, which can affect any area. A lot of depression problems stem from toxins from root canal teeth, which can directly affect the thyroid. When the thyroid becomes dysfunctional multiple symptoms can occur: depression, anxiety, panic attacks, muscle spasms, weak ligaments, constipation, thinning of the hair, vertigo, tinnitus, balance problems, insomnia, heart palpitations, acne, tooth decay, weak immune system (chronic infections), brittle nails, headaches, digestion problems, dry skin, mental fog, poor memory to name a few” 

(11/23/2020)
by Mathew Bullock

More Information: https://www.comfortcaredentists.com/how-the-lymphatic-system-impacts-dental-health/

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