Illinois Dental Care and Good Oral Health

August 21, 2011 Category: Dental, Health

I visited the dentist for one of my semi-annual check-ups and cleanings and came out with one minor, very small cavity.  Par for the course for most individuals.

Prior to my exam and cleaning, I was sitting in the waiting area and reading one of the many outdated People magazines when a publication caught my eye.  “Oral Health and Your Heart”.  Now for years I have understood the importance of proper oral hygiene and how destructive bad oral health can be for the rest of my body.  However, I came across some “eye-opening” statistics.

• The connection between gum disease and heart attacks is higher than the connection between high cholesterol and heart attacks
• One study showed that 85 percent of heart-attack patients had periodontal disease;
• Every $1 spent on dental care can save $20 in medical care (this was as of the year 2000).  I haven’t seen new data but I am going to go out on a limb and say it is higher.
• Diet changes because of tooth loss could lead to heart risk.
• Bacteria that is released from infected gums (gum disease) can find its way into the bloodstream and attach to blood vessels and increase clot formation, then in turn decrease blood flow to the heart, increasing chances of heart attack and aggravating high blood pressure.

What else I found was that not only the heart was affected by periodontal disease – the liver, lungs, pancreas (diabetes) and kidneys can also be affected.

I asked my dentist about all of this and he told me that in most cases dentists are the first to notice or suspect health problems based on gum disease.  He told me that a sore or painful jaw is one indicator of heart disease.

Funny thing is, I see my dentist more regularly than my doctor, but luckily I take care of my teeth and gums.  Could I do a better job of it?  Absolutely.  I just know that I have a better understanding of the importance of a healthy mouth.

Like Ben Franklin said “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

I wish I had these figures when my kids were little to get them to willingly brush their teeth!  They would have probably given me the same look as they do now when I tell them to clean their rooms.