Periodontitis

Brushing Prevents Heart Attacks

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by Dr. Joseph D. Lim

(image credit: http://www.positivechoices.com)
(image credit: http://www.positivechoices.com)

At the annual meeting of the European Society of cardiology in Vienna, Austria, French researcher Dr. Nicolas Amabile said that patients with artery disease often had bad teeth caused by periodontitis or periodontal disease.
In this condition, the gums become swollen due to the accumulation of plaque around the teeth. As the gums become irritated they recede and there is pain when eating hot, cold or sweet foods. Untreated, teeth loosen and fall out. This can be prevented with good oral hygiene in the form of brushing, flossing and regular visits to the dentist.

“Your mouth is normally teeming with bacteria. Usually you can keep these bacteria under control with good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing. Saliva is also a key defense against bacteria and viruses. It contains enzymes that destroy bacteria in different ways. But harmful bacteria can sometimes grow out of control and lead to periodontitis, a serious gum infection,” warned Mayo Clinic doctors.
Amabile found that the more severe periodontitis is, the greater the risk of heart disease. He arrived at this conclusion after he and his team of French dentists and cardiologists studied 131 patients who were referred to their hospital in Marseille, France.

“The most severe teeth disease was associated with the most widespread arterial lesions. Since periodontitis is easily accessible to treatment with antibiotics and dental care, one might think its treatment could also be beneficial for coronary artery disease. This has to be confirmed with larger studies but may represent a new original approach to handle heart disease in the future,” he told Jenny Hopes of the Daily Mail.
Researchers have yet to discover how gum disease triggers heart disease but they suspect that bacteria from gum disease can enter the bloodstream and travel through the arteries to the heart, posing a risk to cardiovascular health.

“When your gums are healthy, bacteria in your mouth usually don’t enter your bloodstream. However, gum disease may provide bacteria a port of entry into your bloodstream. Sometime invasive dental treatments can also allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream. And medications or treatments that reduce saliva flow or disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in your mouth may also lead to oral changes, making it easier for bacteria to enter your blood stream. Some researchers believe that these bacteria and inflammation from your mouth are linked to other health problems in the rest of your body,” said Mayo Clinic doctors.

To preserve your good health, don’t forget to brush daily, especially after meals. Make it a daily habit to save your heart.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim is the Dean of the College of Dentistry, National University, President/CEO of Dr. Smile Dental Care & Laser Center and honorary fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy and the Japan College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.

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Gum Care

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by: Dr. Joseph D. Lim

THE gum is more important than we think.

This is because, contrary to popular belief, it’s not tooth decay that is the major cause of tooth loss – it’s gum disease. About eight out of 10 American adults, for example, have some form of gum disease.

(photo source: http://www.gumrecession.com/)
(photo source: http://www.gumrecession.com/)

One gum disease, gingivitis, is caused by toxins from the bacteria that accumulate in the plaque that turns into yellow-colored tartar. The bacteria attack the bones beneath the gums. As a result, an unhealthy gum starts to lose teeth.

The symptoms of gingivitis include swollen, red gums, bad breath, bleeding and sore gums when brushing. When the gums are swollen, red, tender or bleed easily and the teeth looses, see the dentist as soon as possible.

Left untreated, the supporting bone may dissolve, and when this happens, your teeth may fall out.

Dentists recommend special attention when brushing to where the teeth meet the gums and along the gum line and the tongue and hard-to-reach areas such as the backs of the teeth. To reach small gaps, use dental floss. #OpinYon #Health

read cont | http://bit.ly/H0RtrS

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Gums Are Just as Important as Your Teeth

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by: Dr. Joseph D. Lim

IF you are age 40 or over, chances are you will have gum disease.

While it is commonly experienced during middle age, gum recession actually starts during the teenage years.

When a tooth appears longer than normal or the spaces between teeth seem to grow, you are likely to have the malady.

(photo source: http://www.gumrecession.com/)
(photo source: http://www.gumrecession.com/)

Symptoms include teeth that are very sensitive to stimuli (hot or spicy food for example), visible roots of the tooth, notched tooth at the gum line, tooth dislocation and cavities below the gum line.

It is easy to prevent gum disease with simple habits like flossing and brushing, avoiding tobacco, eating properly and not piercing the lip or tongue.

Over-aggressive brushing that cause gum recession may be evaded with gentle brushing with a soft toothbrush.

Regular professional dental cleanings prevent plaque buildup that also causes gum recession. Scaling and root planning may be necessary to clean the teeth and heal the inflammation in the gums caused by tartar.

It is necessary to avoid gum disease because it leads to other serious ailments. #OpinYon #LifeStyle #Gums

read cont | http://bit.ly/1gmjy9R

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