The American Heart Association and the American DentalAssociation have been spreading the word during the month of February, which is
national Dental Health Month,about the relationship between your dental health
and your heart health. We have had several patients who have seen articles via
the internet and various magazines and have asked us about it. Tartar(plaque),
gum disease, and decay are all bacteria and when entered into the blood stream
via eating, drinking, swallowing, and brushing your teeth, can increase the instances of heart
disease and strokes. During your regular dental checkups, there are several ways
our office checks for these sorts of potential problems.
One way is with x-rays. X-rays helps
us to detect cavities, but it will also show an abscess, bone loss due to gum
disease and tartar that may be below the gum tissue. Periodontal probing is the
measuring of the pocket between the tooth and the base of the socket the tooth
rests in. If gum disease is present, the pocket will have a number greater than
4mm accompanied by bleeding when brushing, and bone loss which eventually will
cause teeth to become loose and fall out. This also means that the infection of the
gum tissue is continually being ingested into the blood stream. A deep cleaning
by our office will remove the tartar and remove the infection from the gum
tissue. While this cleaning will not regenerate bone loss, it will remove the
infection, and with diligent home care and regular visits, can reduce the risk
of health problems.
Decay(cavities) are also bacteria, and we get those from
the things we eat and drink as well as poor home care. If cavities are left to
long, not only will they cause pain and fixing more costly, but again the
bacteria is being ingested into the bloodstream. Removing the decay and placing
a restoration of some type, be it a filling or crown, will remove the source of bacteria and again will
lower the risk of potential health problems.
While there are many other factors that can contribute to
heart disease and strokes, its worth going to the dentist and making sure that
your mouth is not what may be causing your health problems. Our office is up to
date on all the latest information, resources, and treatment to help prevent
heart disease and strokes and keep your mouth healthy. Log on to our website, email, or call our office directly at (414)355-0213 to make your appointment today!
Levine Dental Associates
8860 N 60th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53223
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