The Link Between Gum Disease and Heart Attacks

Gum Disease May Relate To Heart Attack Risk

Previous studies have found that the incidence of heart disease is about twice as high in people with periodontal (gum) disease, but until recently no plausible cause had been suggested.  Now studies indicate that the most common strain of bacteria in dental plaque may cause blood clots.  When blood clots escape into the bloodstream, there is a relation to increased risk of heart attacks and stroke.

People with periodontal disease (over half the adult population) have an infection  that causes chronic inflammation of the gums.  Also, it is a path for these bacteria to enter the bloodstream.  A recent study describes the association between heart disease and gum disease to be at least as strong as the linkage of heart disease to cholesterol, body weight, or smoking.

Incidence of Periodontal Disease

Unlike most diseases that give us early warning signs, gum disease progresses silently, ofter without pain.  It may develop slowly or progress quite rapidly.  More that half of all people over 18 years of age have at least the early stages of periodontal disease.  Even more alarming, after the age of 35, three out of four people are affected to some degree.  Periodontal disease is an infection that destroys the gum surrounding your teeth and also destroys the supporting bone that holds your teeth in place.

Periodontal disease may increase  your risk for a variety of health concerns including:  weakened immune system, diabetes, stroke, lung disease, preterm, low-birth-weight babies, kidney disease, respiratory disease, osteoporosis, gastric ulcer, and prosthetic joint complications.  Evidence is mounting relating gum disease to a variety of health concerns, some that are life threatening.  By keeping regular re-care appointments with your dental team, you help increase your chances for a long and happy life.

Determining Periodontal Disease

We can help you better understand periodontal disease and how you can prevent it.  We will painlessly check and monitor the condition of your gums during your re-care appointments.  Your examinations may show signs of infection, such as bleeding or pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that are deeper than normal.  Dr. Dulski may suggest a course of treatment that will stop any further damage to your gums and bones.  We will then design a home-care regimen for your specific needs!  Even healthy looking teeth may have gum disease.  Visit Adult Dentistry of Rochester for a simple exam to learn the health status of your gums.

Tags: Gum Disease, Periodontal Disease, Heart Attack, Stroke

Cracked Tooth Syndrome

You may have a very common problem in one of your back teeth - a cracked tooth.  Teeth may crack when subjected to the stress of chewing hard foods or ice, or by biting on an unexpected hard object, like a popcorn kernel.  Teeth with or without fillings my have this problem.  Teeth restored with silver fillings (dental amalgam) are most susceptible.  You may realize that you have a cracked tooth if you find yourself chewing on one side of your mouth, your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold, or sweet or sour food, or you feel a sharp pain when chewing or the pain that you feel is intermittent.

Treatment For Cracked Teeth:

!)  Simple Crack:   The majority of cracked teeth (about 90%) can be treated by placement of a crown on the tooth.  When the tooth is prepared for the crown, and a temporary crown is placed, the pain usually is alleviated.  If this is the case, then the final crown can be placed to resolve the problem.

2)  Complex Crack:  Occasionally (about 10%), the tooth cracks into the nerve of the tooth.  If pain persists after placement of a temporary crown, then the crack likely involves the nerve of the tooth.  The tooth then requires root canal treatment to resolve the pain.  If the crack extends beyond the nerve into the root of the tooth, then there is no hope of restoring the tooth and the tooth needs to be removed.  The best hope of avoiding tooth loss is early crown treatment to strengthen and protect the tooth from a progressively deepening crack.  Visit Adult Dentistry of Rochester to learn if you have cracked tooth syndrome.

Tags:  Cracked Tooth Syndrome, Cracked Tooth, Dental Crown, Dental Amalgam

Periodic Oral Exam

Your dentist periodic oral exam is a necessary part of your re-care appointment with your dental hygienist to help keep your teeth and gums healthy.  While watching television you probably noticed that gingivitis has made it to prime-time advertising.  For millions of people, the emphasis in dental visits has sifted from treatment of tooth decay to prevention of gum disease.

Have you noticed any of the early warning signs of gum disease?  Do the gums bleed when you brush?  Are the gums red, tender or swollen or detach from the teeth?  Does pus appear from the gum-line when the gums are pressed?  Have teeth become loose or shifted?  Is there any change in the way that your teeth fit together when you bite?  Is there any change in the fit of partial dentures?  Is there chronic bad breath?  Your dentist can help you with any of these problems.

In addition to the periodic oral examination of your lips, cheeks, teeth, gums, tongue and palate for suspicious tissue changes, the probing of the gums during the periodontal exam is performed specifically to detect the early signs of the progression of gum disease to bone decay or periodontal disease.  Dr. Dulski introduces the periodontal examination by stating, "Probing depths of ones, twos of threes with no tenderness or bleeding indicates healthy gums.  Measurements of four or more with tenderness or bleeding is a sign of infection."  This gives the patient the opportunity to learn the health status of the gums as Dr. Dulski calls out the measurements for the recording of the periodontal exam.  At Adult Dentistry of Rochester, our goal is early detection of periodontal disease through your periodic oral examination.  Our message is, "Healthy gums don't bleed.  Early detection and treatment of periodontal disease avoids tooth loss."

Tags: Periodic Oral Exam, Dentist, Periodontal Exam, Gingivitis, Periodontitis

Feeding the Foe

Research proves that there is a direct correlation between sugar intake and dental plaque formation.  Tooth decay and gum disease are basically caused by dental plaque, it's really just that simple.

Dental plaque is the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on the teeth.  This dental plaque is a combination of bacteria, sugars, and foods.  When left on the teeth, dental plaque will turn into destructive acids.  It is these acids that cause damage in the mouth through tooth decay and gum disease.  If the sticky foods which contain sugar were consumed less frequently, or preferably, eliminated from the diet, then tooth decay and gum disease would decrease significantly.

For your good dental health, be on the look-out for foods that have a high nutritional value and do not include sugar.  Raw fruits and vegetables are good choices as well as snack foods like tomato juice, peanuts, celery, carrots, and popcorn.  Get in the habit of checking product labels for added sugar.  A close look at the label will tell you whether or not it contains sugars.  When checking the labels, remember that sugar may also be listed as corn syrup, sucrose or dextrose.

Sucrose is the primary villain.  Sucrose or table sugar is known to contribute greatly to dental plaque formation because it is so easily metabolized by bacteria.  Plaque must be on the teeth in order for tooth decay and gum disease to begin.  It is true that people need sugar for energy, however it is not necessary to get it from sucrose-laden foods.  There are plenty of foods that have more complex natural sugars that bacteria cannot metabolize so readily to acids in the mouth.  Substitute peanuts, popcorn, cheese, and fresh fruits and vegetables for candy, cookies,  pies and soft drinks.

You are in charge of your dental health on a daily basis.  Success in a lifetime of great oral health depends on you.  Eat a balanced diet with good control of sucrose sugar intake to help build a healthy diet. And, visit Adult Dentistry of Rochester for regular check-ups to partner with your dental hygienist for the support that will assure success.

Tags: Dental Health, Dental Plaque, Tooth Decay, Gum Disease, Dental Hygienist