Patient Education
Mountain Dental Arts
Patient Education
At Mountain Dental Arts we pride ourselves on Patient Education. You as a patient can not make the best decision for your dental health without the proper education.
A big part of patient education the most people are not aware of, is the link between the health of your gums and how that affects the rest of the body. Dr. Oz discussed on one of his shows good oral hygiene and how it can save your life. The article tells how the neglect of your gums can be the root case of some serious health problems. Periodontal Disease not only impacts your quality of life, cosmetically, nutritionally and socially, but also your overall health. The problem with persistent inflammatory diseases like periodontal disease is the assault can be relentless and the body doesn't get a chance to recuperate. Conditions linked to periodontal disease include:
- Heart disease and heart attack
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease
- Miscarriage, preeclampsia, and preterm birth
- Pneumonia and other lung diseases
- Cancer of the blood, pancreas, tongue, lung, and kidney
- Osteoporosis
Taking care of your teeth and gums is a good policy, one that can prevent gum disease, cavities, tooth loss, pain and money. Dr. Oz also has an article called: "Why your lungs love dental floss", that challenges you to make a daily date with your dental floss. It is a fast cheap investment in good health, and preventing gum disease which helps you sidestep serious lung problems. Bacteria from a gum infection easily can slip from your mouth into your airways when you inhale, and the warm, moist conditions in your lungs are the perfect breeding ground for trouble. The main culprit is plaque, and when inhaled into the lungs, not only can cause COPD exacerbations, but also might trigger respiratory infections in healthy people. Brushing helps but it takes flossing to whisk it away from below the gum line, where disease starts, and yup, regular trips to your dentist for cleaning and trouble-shooting. Seeing a dental professional every 6 months to have your gums checked and cared for, or mor often if advised, can make your RealAge as much as 6.4 years younger.
The Mayo Clinic has done research linking Diabetes and Dental Care, and have found the higher your blood sugar level, the higer your risk of Tooth decay (cavities), Early gum disease (gingivitis) or Advanced gum disease (periodontitis). Periodontitis tends to be more severe among people who have diabetes because diabetes lowers the ability to resist infection and slows healing. An infection such as periodontitis may also cause your blood sugar level to rise, which makes your diabetes more difficult to control. Patients with inadequate blood sugar control appear to develop periodontal disease more often and more severely, and they lose more teeth than do people who have good control of their diabetes. You need to see your dentist immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- gums that bleed easily
- red, swollen or tender gums
- gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- pus between the teeth and gums when the gums are pressed
- persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
- permanent teeth that are loose or seperating
- any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- any change in the fit of partial dentures
Martha Grogan, M.D. , a the Mayo Clinic Cardiologist has said "Poor oral health combined with other risk factors may contribute to heart disease. Bacteria on your teeth and gums could travel through your blood stream and attach to fatty plaques in your arteries, making the plaques become more swollen. If one plaque bursts and causes a blood clot to form, you can have a heart attack or stroke. It is possible that swelling in gums leads to swelling in other parts of your body, including your arteries. This swelling can also contribute to heart disease."
Dr. Michael Froeschl, an intervention cardiologist at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, has also done studies how closely our oral health is linked to our cardiac health. He has said that "Oral health is critically important in patients who are at risk of developing infections of the heart and heart valves. The emphasis is really on regular dental visits and oral care at home."
"Ultimately, good oral health equals good health," says Dr. Anthony Lacopino, Director of the International Centre for Oral-Systemic Health. "One way to increase overall health is to decrease the level of inflammation. A reliable and easy way to do that is to make sure the mouth is healthy."