OLIVE BRANCH — Dr. Eleanor Gill has been practicing dentistry in Olive Branch for the past 25 years.
Time after time, and in patient after patient, she has discovered that poor dental hygiene on behalf of the patient can lead to potentially serious health consequences.
"Many people do not realize the connection between the mouth and their overall health," Gill said. "Because the circulatory system is one long connection of blood vessels throughout the entire body, bleeding gums are extremely dangerous to your heart arteries (coronary arteries)."
The cause of gum disease is rooted in bacteria. With its proliferation, the effect could be deadly.
According to Gill, gum disease is caused by a bacteria called P. Gingivalis.
Porphyromonas gingivalis is found in the oral cavity, where it is implicated in certain forms of periodontal disease, as well as the upper gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, and in the colon.
In addition, P. gingivalis has been linked to rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have an increased incidence of periodontal disease and antibodies against the bacterium are significantly more common in these patients.
"If you have bleeding gums, this bacteria gets into your bloodstream and increase your chance of a heart attack 13 fold," Gill said. "Inflammation(bleeding) is a big deal and is not something that should be ignored."
Gill said a case involving one of her recent patients resulted in detection which more than likely saved her patient's life.
"We detected this lesion in a routine oral cancer screening of a patient," Gill said. "He had never smoked and is 33 years old and healthy. The lesion was found early enough that it could be removed before it metastasized."
Gill has a warning for individuals who neglect the care of their teeth and gums.
"If a person smokes or dips, uses alcohol, has a jagged tooth or ill fitting denture or ever had human papilloma virus, they are at higher risk for oral cancer," Gill said. "Head and Neck cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world. Approximately 50,000 per year are diagnosed. Early detection could save your life."
Gill is a 1987 graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry.
Since graduation, Gill has been in private practice in Olive Branch.
She served as President of the Mississippi Dental Association for the 2005-2006 term.
"It is important to me to remain involved in organized dentistry and continue to serve the profession diligently," Gill said. "When I am not involved in my practice or community, I enjoy traveling, sailing and art collecting with my husband, Pete Thomas."
The couple also stay active in attending to the spiritual as well as the physical needs of the community, attending the Church of the Holy Spirit.
Robert Lee Long: rlong@desototimestribune.com or at 662-429-6397, Ext. 252
http://www.desototimes.com/articles/2013/06/18/news/local/doc51c0b4ec8f398593854433.txt