Understanding Its Impact on Human and Oral Health
Fusobacterium nucleatum is a type of bacteria commonly found in the human oral cavity. It plays a significant role in dental plaque formation and is associated with various periodontal diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontitis. However, its impact extends beyond oral health.
The Harmful Potential of Fusobacterium Nucleatum
While Fusobacterium nucleatum is a normal part of the mouth’s microbial community, it can become harmful under certain conditions. If it proliferates unchecked, it can lead to severe gum disease and tooth decay. But its effects are not limited to the mouth; research has linked it to more systemic health issues.
Systemic Effects and Risks
Recent studies have identified a connection between Fusobacterium nucleatum and colorectal cancer, suggesting that this bacterium can escape the oral cavity and contribute to tumor formation in the colon. It is mentioned that transient bacteremia promotes a pro-inflammatory environment conducive to cancer development.

Mechanism of Harm
Fusobacterium nucleatum can adhere to and invade colon cells, promoting an inflammatory response that may aid in the progression of colorectal cancer. It can also interact with other elements of the body’s microbiome and immune system, further contributing to disease processes.
Importance of Oral Health
The link between Fusobacterium nucleatum and systemic health issues underscores the critical importance of maintaining excellent oral hygiene. Regular dental check-ups and professional teeth cleanings can help control the levels of harmful bacteria in the mouth, potentially reducing the risk of its negative effects on overall health.

Best Dentists in Riverside County
Considering the detrimental health effects Fusobacterium Nucleatum can have on a person’s health, requesting an appointment with Dr. Mark Phillipe or Dr. Derek Hauser at Lakefront Family Dentistry is important for your well-being.
As the most referred dentists in the Inland Empire, they will complete a thorough exam, which includes digital x-rays during your first visit. Patients receive personalized dental care and expertise on how to manage oral bacteria effectively, contributing to better overall health and well-being.
Based on your exam, if a course of treatment is necessary, the dentists will discuss it with each patient. For example, professional teeth cleaning with one of the registered dental hygienists is recommended two times per year. This saves patients money by preventing additional procedures later such as decay, cavities, periodontitis, and gum disease.

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42 Reasons Why You Need to See the Best Dentists for Your Health
1. Routine Dental Check-ups
Regular check-ups can identify early signs of periodontal disease caused by Fusobacterium nucleatum, allowing for prompt treatment.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Early detection of periodontal issues can prevent more serious conditions, including those linked to systemic health problems like colorectal cancer.

2. Teeth Cleaning (Prophylaxis)
Professional dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar, reducing the risk of gum disease and the proliferation of harmful bacteria like Fusobacterium nucleatum.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Prevent the build-up of harmful bacteria that can lead to gum disease and potentially influence systemic conditions like colon cancer, decay, cavities, gum disease, periodontal disease and improve overall hygiene.

Decay often results from bacterial action in plaque.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Restore tooth structure and prevent further decay caused by bacterial activity using in-house CEREC dental technology.

Infections in the root canal could be due to periodontal pathogens.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Treat infections and save teeth from extraction.

5. Crowns
Damaged or decayed teeth might result from bacterial infections.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Protect and restore the tooth’s structure and function with new porcelain crowns made the same day with Lakefront Family Dentistry’s in-house CEREC milling machines and CAD/CAM Systems.

6. Dental Veneers
Aesthetic issues may stem from bacterial damage to enamel.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Improve the appearance of teeth affected by decay or erosion using the in-house CEREC lab to make beautiful veneers in two to three minutes and porcelain crowns in just one visit.

7. Dental Bridges
Tooth loss from periodontal disease needs restoration.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Replace missing teeth and restore function with a custom made dental bridge. Enjoy eating your favorite foods again.
Advanced periodontal disease may necessitate extractions.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: To remove severely damaged or infected teeth that cannot be saved through other dental treatments.
9. Dentures
Tooth loss, often due to periodontal diseases.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Provide functional replacements for missing teeth. Be confident in your smile and ability to eat the things you love!
10. Dental Implants
Loss of teeth from bacterial infections.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Offer a permanent solution for tooth replacement with titanium dental implants and CEREC porcelain crowns.

11. Orthodontics
Misaligned teeth can harbor more bacteria and lead to periodontal issues.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Correct alignment, facilitating better oral hygiene and reducing disease risk with Invisalign treatment.

12. Teeth Whitening
Discoloration may be due to plaque and bacterial action.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Enhance aesthetic appearance and remove stains caused by bacteria.
Targeted treatments address the effects of periodontal diseases, which are often associated with bacteria like Fusobacterium nucleatum.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Manage and treat gum disease and prevent further oral health decline. The best registered dental hygienists at Lakefront Family Dentistry frequently treat patients with periodontal disease.

14. Dental Bonding
Restoration for minor decay and damage due to bacterial action.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Repair and restore aesthetics and function to damaged teeth.
Periodontal disease can impact overall oral structure and function.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: To alleviate jaw pain and correct dysfunction possibly related to oral health issues. Dr. Mark Phillipe and Dr. Derek Hauser often use Botox treatment to alleviate TMJ / TMD pain with great success.

16. Sealants
Protective barrier against bacteria causing decay.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Prevent cavities in molars and premolars.
17. Wisdom Teeth Management
Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to bacterial buildup and infection.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: To prevent or address complications from wisdom teeth, including periodontal issues.
Identifies hidden periodontal disease and effects of bacterial infections with Lakefront Family Dentistry’s Panoramic digital x-ray in the office.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: To diagnose internal issues not visible during a regular exam. Did you know 70 per cent of a person’s tooth is below the actual gumline?

Some oral cancers are linked to chronic bacterial infections.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Detect early signs of oral cancer, potentially related to long-term bacterial presence. Often, the dentist is the very first doctor to notice oral cancer in patients. Early detection during bi-annual exams can save lives.

Fluoride combats tooth decay caused by bacteria.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Strengthen tooth enamel and prevent decay.
Restorations for damage due to decay from bacterial action.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: To restore teeth with significant decay while maintaining tooth structure.
Addresses aesthetic concerns that may arise from bacterial damage.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Improve the appearance of teeth affected by bacterial decay, extractions, gum disease, cavities, and periodontal disease.

Early dental visits help identify and manage oral bacteria that could affect children’s long-term dental health, preventing early childhood caries and other bacterial complications.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Ensuring a healthy oral environment for children and educating them on preventive care.

Dental emergencies can often stem from untreated periodontal disease or bacterial infections leading to acute pain or abscesses.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Immediate care to address urgent symptoms and underlying bacterial issues. Call to see if we have an available opening the same day for a dental emergency.
Custom-fitted mouthguards protect against teeth grinding that can exacerbate periodontal disease and protect against trauma and fractures / cracks that could introduce or worsen bacterial infections.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Prevent damage and bacterial ingress into damaged tissues.
26. Occlusal Adjustments
Misaligned bites can contribute to uneven plaque accumulation and stress on certain teeth, potentially worsening periodontal conditions.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Correct bite issues and reduce risk of plaque-related diseases using Invisalign clear aligners.
27. Gingivectomy
Overgrown or infected gum tissue often harbors harmful bacteria, necessitating removal to maintain periodontal health.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Remove diseased tissue and reduce bacterial load.
28. Frenectomy
Abnormal frenum attachments can interfere with oral hygiene, leading to plaque accumulation and bacterial growth.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Improve oral hygiene accessibility and control bacterial proliferation with our pain-free Solea laser by removing the frenum in minutes.

29. Biopsy of Tissue
Investigating suspicious lesions or growths in the mouth can lead to early detection of conditions exacerbated by bacterial infections.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Diagnose potential issues early and prevent disease progression.
30. Sinus Tooth Pain
Oral bacteria can spread to sinus areas, especially if dental health is compromised. This can also cause migraines and severe toothaches.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Meet with Dr. Hauser or Dr. Phillipe to determine the cause of sinus tooth pain and provide prescription and/or necessary dental treatment based on an examination.

31. Bone Grafting
Ensuring that the bone structure is free of bacterial infection is crucial for successful grafting and implant placement.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Augment bone for dental implants while preventing bacterial related complications.
Sleep apnea can be exacerbated by oral health issues, and there is growing interest in how oral health, particularly gum health, affects overall health.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Treat sleep apnea which, if left unchecked, can lead to more significant health problems, as well as maintaining good oral health that supports overall well-being.
33. Full Mouth Rehabilitation
Comprehensive treatment plans address extensive dental issues, often related to chronic bacterial infections and periodontal disease.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Restore oral health and function while managing bacterial infections.

34. Scaling and Root Planing
Deep cleaning procedures remove plaque and tartar from below the gumline, directly combating periodontal pathogens.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: The best registered dental hygienists at Lakefront Family Dentistry will treat periodontal disease and reduce bacterial loads.
35. Laser Dentistry
Solea Laser treatments at the private dental practice will target and eliminate periodontal bacteria, promoting healing and reducing infection rates. The Solea laser is used in our private dental practice for filling a cavity, gingivectomy, frenectomy, and gummy smile.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Minimally invasive treatment of bacterial infections and periodontal disease.

36. Snoring Prevention Devices
Snoring can be linked to oral infections and bacteria, affecting the airway and oral health.
Reason for Dentist Appointment: Manage snoring related to oral health issues and prevent complications from oral bacteria.
37. Digital Smile Design Using CEREC
Comprehensive smile design considers the health implications of oral bacteria, ensuring restorative work is both aesthetic and functional in a bacterially managed environment.
Reason for Appointment: To design a smile that is not only beautiful but also resistant to bacterial complications.

38. Gum Contouring / Gummy Smile Treatment
Reshaping the gum line with our Solea laser can help eliminate niches where harmful bacteria may accumulate, improving periodontal health.
Reason for Appointment: To enhance the gum line’s appearance and health by reducing bacterial traps.

39. Oral Pathology
Oral pathology services diagnose conditions that may be caused or worsened by bacterial infections, providing a basis for targeted treatment.
Reason for Appointment: To investigate and manage oral diseases linked to bacterial infections.
40. Dental Anxiety Management
Overcoming dental anxiety is crucial for regular dental visits, which are essential for monitoring and controlling oral bacterial levels.
Reason for Appointment: To receive care necessary for preventing and treating bacterial-related dental issues without fear.

41. Orthodontic Retainers
Retainers can harbor bacteria if not cleaned properly, emphasizing the need for professional guidance and regular dental check-ups.
Reason for Appointment: To ensure retainers are effective and hygienic, preventing bacterial buildup and periodontal complications.
42. Oral Bacteria and Colon Cancer
Recent studies have highlighted the potential link between Fusobacterium nucleatum, found in dental plaque, and colorectal cancer.
Understanding these connections emphasizes the importance of oral health in overall wellness.
Reason for Appointment: Patients concerned about the implications of oral bacteria on systemic health may seek comprehensive dental care to mitigate these risks.
Request a Dental Appointment Today for Your Oral Health
Each of these dental services and their correlation with periodontal disease and systemic health underline the importance of regular dental care. For residents in Riverside and San Diego counties, visiting Lakefront Family Dentistry for regular check-ups, cleanings, and specialized treatments ensures not only good oral health but may also play a crucial role in the overall health landscape, particularly concerning emerging research on links like that between Fusobacterium nucleatum and colon cancer.
Dr. Mark Phillipe and Dr. Derek Hauser, with their comprehensive approach to dental care, are well-equipped to address these concerns and provide top-notch dental care to their patients.
Call (951) 244-9495 during business hours to Request an Appointment or fill out the secure, confidential HIPAA compliant form through the website any time.