Dental Medicine

Dental Medicine

Oral systemic connection

 Current research shows that the role of Oral inflammation and periodontal disease may have even more of an impact on overall health than previously thought.
Dentistry is a lot more than just beautiful smiles. Dentistry is important to your body health.Keeping your teeth and gums healthy can increase life expectancy by 10 years or more.This is especially true for patients that are at increased risk of a heart attack, diabetes or are pregnant.
Researchers have discovered an important connection between periodontal disease and heart disease, stroke, Diabetes, Pre-Term Low Birth weight babies, cancers, Alzheimer’s, Respiratory disease, Kidney Disease plus other systemic inflammatory diseases.
If you have Oral inflammation, infection or gum disease, you may be at a higher risk for heart attacks and strokes.
The bacteria that cause oral inflammation and gum disease can spread through your bloodstream and lead to the formation of blood clots. These clots can then cause heart attacks and strokes.
More than 75 percent of Americans over age 35 have some form of gum disease, and are at increased risk for heart disease.

See your dentist if you have the Signs of gingivitis and periodontitis:

• Painful gums
• Bleeding, swollen or tender gums
• Bad breath that won't go away
• Sores in your mouth
• Inflammation or abscess in the jaw
  

At our offices we provide a thorough oral evaluation and periodontal health screening and if you are at risk for systemic disease we will coordinate with your medical health team to reduce your health risks with  periodontal treatment.

If you do require periodontal treatment it can now be done painlessly with different treatment options, avoiding surgery in most cases. Medications may be used with treatment that includes scaling and root planing, but they cannot always take the place of surgery. Depending on the severity of gum disease, you may still need surgical treatment.
Now most medical insurance cover oral inflammatory conditions treatment in order to lower the risk of systemic complications and unnecessary hospitalizations.
Lower your risk for heart disease by taking good care of your mouth:
- Brush your teeth 3  times a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss every day
- Limit sugary snacks and drinks
- Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleaning

            More Information:

• Special Reports on Oral Health and Heart Disease
• Oral Systemic Health
• Oral Health and Whole-Body Health (PDF)
• Gums Treatment - periodontal treatment
• Healthy diet for low cholesterol and Healthy diet for low trigycerides