With January behind us and February almost a thing of the past, we are well into the New Year, hopefully you have not already given up on your resolutions. For many of us these resolutions include exercise, eating well, and aiming for an overall healthier lifestyle, but does this include amping up your oral health regime? If not, it should.
Healthier mouths lead to healthier bodies.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “oral diseases share common risk factors with the four leading chronic diseases—cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes”. More recently, oral diseases have also been linked to Alzheimer. But since February is Heart Month, we will be focusing on the link between gum disease and heart disease.
Cardiovascular disease claim over 49,000 lives per year here in Canada, so it is should not be taken lightly. There are different diseases that are included within the “cardiovascular disease” definition, these include; heart attacks, stroke, circulation problems, bacterial endocarditis, congenital or birth defects, and heart failure.
Gum diseases afflict over 70% of the Canadian population, often times going undiagnosed until there is a more serious problem. Gum diseases encompass both gingivitis and periodontitis. Both are bacterial infections affecting the tissue that surrounds the tooth. Most of the bacteria are housed in the plaque that sits at or below the gum line. Gingivitis is normally characterized by red, inflamed, bleeding gums, once this infection progresses it will attack the bone and ligaments that support the teeth which begins the periodontal disease process.
Periodontal disease is a progressive inflammatory condition, often times this disease progresses painlessly without any warning signs. Some signs of periodontal disease may include:
• Bleeding gums 
• Sore or swollen gums
• Loose teeth
• Gum recession
• Chronic bad breath
• Pus around teeth
• Pain upon chewing
• Recent bite change
• Spaces between teeth
• Food accumulation in gums
Although there has not been a causative connection found between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease, there is research to support that periodontal disease increases the risk of heart disease. There has been strong links between the “bad” bacteria present in periodontal disease; it’s initiation of an inflammatory response, and many heart related problems.
Here’s how that works: your immune system tries to remove the bacteria and their byproducts through inflammation, this is your body’s way of attacking substances that shouldn’t be there (such as bacteria). However, long-term inflammation can be harmful to the tissues and ligaments that hold your teeth in place.
Studies have suggested that the inflammatory response to the bacteria found in the mouth contributes to the formation of plaque found in the arteries. This may contribute to the causes of heart attacks or strokes. Bacteria originating from the mouth may also stick to the inner heart lining, and may cause infective endocarditis.
Therefore, preventing or treating periodontal disease may reduce your risk for cardiovascular diseases.
For a long time it was thought that bacteria was the factor that linked periodontal disease to other disease in the body; however, more recent research is suggesting that inflammation may in fact be responsible for the association. The good news is that gingivitis is preventable and reversible and depending on the stage of the periodontal disease it can quite often be managed.
Prevention and management of these diseases comes from finding the right balance between your home care and you professional care.
At home it is imperative to:
• Brush after meals
• Floss before bed
• Rinse with an antibacterial mouthrinse
• Change your toothbrush every 3-4 months or after an illness
• Use additional tools as recommended by your oral health partner
Professionally it is important to:
• Develop a comfortable rapport and sense of trust with your Registered Dental Hygienist
• Follow through with recommended treatment
• Maintain regular professional cleanings as recommended
• Ask questions
Maintaining your oral health can be equated to maintaining your general health in many ways. Consider your Registered Dental Hygienist as your oral “personal trainer”. It may take some extra work to get to a point of health, but it’s worth it once you are there and should be relatively easy to maintain with all the tools you learn along the way!
So if you are striving to be healthier this year remember that everything is connected and if one part of the system is not properly cared for it puts all your hard work at risk. The body must work together to create balance and health.
If you feel you may be suffering from periodontal disease and you are concerned about its effect on your overall health
please contact us to discuss your options.
More information can be found at:
http://www.aaosh.org/index.php
http://www.mayoclinic.org/dental/art-20047475?pg=2
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/cdic-mcbc/30-4/preface-eng.php#tphp
http://www.oralsystemicevaluationcenter.com/oral-systemic-connection.htm
http://www.perio.org/consumer/heart_disease
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