The Mouth-Body Connection

4 minute read

The Hidden Role RDAs Play in Preventing Disease (That Most Practices Miss)

Have you ever had a patient with great home care—like, brushes twice daily and uses floss—and still their gums are bleeding? It doesn’t seem to add up... until you understand what's really going on beneath the surface.

Here’s the truth I wish more people knew: the health of your mouth directly affects the health of your entire body, and vice versa. It’s not just about brushing and flossing anymore. We’re talking about real, measurable impacts on the heart, brain, gut, lungs... all of it.

What’s Really Causing the Inflammation?

For years, we were trained to think that gingivitis and periodontal disease were debris problems. You see plaque, you remove plaque, case closed. But now we know it’s more than that, it’s about the immune response to bacteria and biofilm.

Some bacteria actually make your gum tissue more permeable—leaky, even. And when that happens, those bacteria and toxins don’t just stay in the mouth. They get into the bloodstream and can travel to vital organs. A gum infection can actually trigger a heart attack or stroke. Yes, it’s that serious.

Before the Treatment Comes the Trust

Sure, the RDH physically performs the periodontal therapy, but let’s be honest: treatment acceptance happens way before that appointment. It starts with the conversations. The trust. The little moments where patients ask questions, get curious, and let their guard down.

And many of those conversations? They happen with the RDA.

RDAs: A Vital Link Between Clinical Care and Patient Connection

As an RDA, you’re in the operatory placing a temp or taking an impression, and you notice the gums are bleeding around a beautiful composite or crown prep. You see it right there in real time: the body is inflamed. Something’s off.

But in that moment, you also have the patient’s attention. They’re not thinking about hygiene or periodontal protocols. They’re thinking, “Is that blood normal!?” And that’s where your words matter.

When you understand the mouth-body connection, you’re in a perfect position to plant a seed:

“Wow, I’m seeing bleeding and inflammation around the crown, it could be that your gums are reacting to bacteria we can’t see, and it might be worth a closer look.”

That one comment can shift everything. It opens the door for the next conversation, the next question, the next step.

You don’t need a microscope certification or a long script. You just need to be confident in what you’re seeing and say it simply, in a way that builds trust.

Practical Ways RDAs Can Make a Big Impact

You don’t have to do it all—just meet patients where they are. Here are a few ways to bring this message to life chairside:

• Relate it to their investment.
  “Mr. Smith, you just spent good money on that crown. The best way to make it last is by keeping the gums around it healthy. Plaque brings bacteria, bacteria causes swelling, and swelling shortens the life of your crown.”

• Let them see it.
  If your office has a microscope, use it. Showing a patient the active bacteria in their plaque changes the conversation instantly. Suddenly it’s not just “floss better”—it’s, “Whoa. What do I do about that?”

• Make silent issues visible.
  Gum disease doesn’t hurt. Neither does high blood pressure. But they both quietly cause damage over time. Connecting those dots helps patients understand why preventive care matters, even if they feel fine today.
  

Bleeding Is Not Normal

If you see bleeding while assisting with a procedure or taking impressions, don’t brush it off as “normal.” It’s not. Bleeding is the body waving a red flag. Say it out loud—kindly, clearly—so the patient starts to understand that something needs to change.

Know Better, Do Better

There’s a quote I love from Maya Angelou: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

That’s what this is really about. The more we understand the full-body impact of oral infections, and the more we empower every team member, especially RDAs, to communicate it clearly, the better outcomes we’ll see.

This isn’t just about tooth care. It’s healthcare. And you, as an RDA, are a critical part of that bigger mission.

WATCH OUR YOUTUBE VIDEO

By sharing my journey and insights into periodontal health, I hope to empower you to elevate the health of your patients.  Remember, bleeding gums might be common, but they're not healthy.  By making small tweaks to our approach, we can achieve healthier and happier patients.

Stay Awesome,

Coach Tosha