BRUSH YOUR TEETH… TO LIVE LONGER
Besides healthy teethand sweet smelling breath, there is another major reason to take care of your teeth and gums. Periodontal disease affects approximately 85 percent of adults aged 35 and over in the United States and is the leading cause of adult tooth loss. Dealing with periodontal disease is a challenge for both medical professionals and patients. Although the initial symptoms may not seem serious – red, swollen gums and bleeding when flossing – the condition can quickly progress to chronic bad breath, loose teeth, bone loss and gum recession. Even worse, recent studies have shown that gum disease can lead to life-threatening illness.
Your Teeth and Your Heart
Research at Columbia University Medical Center provides the most direct evidence to date that preventing gum disease could significantly improve your chances of avoiding vascular problems. An article in the American Heart Association’s publication “Circulation” shows that people with gum disease are more likely to suffer from atherosclerosis – a narrowing of blood vessels that can lead to stroke or heart attack. Previous studies have suggested a relationship between periodontal disease and vascular disease, but this is the first study to examine the microbiology of periodontal infection and positively connect it to atherosclerosis.
“Because gum infections are preventable and treatable,” says Moïse Desvarieux, assistant professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University Medical Center School of Public Health, “taking care of your oral health could very well have a significant impact on your cardiovascular health.”
Gums That Clog the Arteries
Columbia researchers measured the bacteria levels in the mouths of 657 people who had no history of stroke or myocardial infarction. They also measured the thickness of the subjects’ carotid arteries – the arteries that are measured to identify atherosclerosis. Their measurement, according to the article, has been shown to be a strong predictor of stroke and heart attacks. The researchers found that subjects with a higher level of the specific bacteria that causes periodontal disease also had an increased carotid artery thickness, even after taking other cardiovascular risk factors into account.
One possible explanation for the link is that the bacteria that cause the gum disease may travel throughout the body via the bloodstream and stimulate the immune system, causing inflammation that results in the clogging of arteries.
The hygienist in our office uses the dental laser to treat the pockets in combination with gentle cleaning under the gums. This is a predictable treatment with results that last. Regular dental cleanings, along with a few minor changes in oral hygiene – such as using a Water Pik or dental floss, and a Sonicare electric toothbrush in the privacy and comfort of your own home – can help you avoid the painful and sometimes serious consequences of gum disease... which could extend far beyond your mouth.
By: Jacques Doueck Dds
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