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BY KAREN LAWITTS, DDS AND NANCY YEATES, DDS
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Periodontal disease and heart disease may be linked as patients with history of periodontal disease are more likely to experience heart problems. The exact nature of the connection is unclear, although researchers have some theories about why patients with bad teeth are at higher risk for heart disease. In periodontal disease, a patient develops buildups of dental plaque on and around the teeth. Plaque includes bacteria, food, oral secretions and other materials, leading to inflammation in the gums. It can cause considerable discomfort as well as bad breath, difficulty eating and increased sensitivity to hot, cold and intense flavors. Patients become more susceptible to oral infections and the link between periodontal disease and heart disease may start here with bacteria and their byproducts potentially entering the bloodstream. Bacterial infections of the bloodstream can put patients at serious risk and may damage the heart. Even if this doesn’t occur, byproducts like bacterial toxins appear to trigger inflammation. Patients with periodontal
disease tend to have higher levels of C-reactive protein, a compound made by the liver when inflammation is present. This suggests that periodontal disease and heart disease may have an inflammatory connection where gum disease leads to systematic inflammation and potentially puts a heavy load on the heart. However, saying that two conditions are associated is not the same as saying that one causes the other. Physicians will play a more active role in the oral systematic connection. They will screen at-risk patients for the common signs of periodontal disease, which includes bleeding gums, swollen gums, pus, shifting teeth, chronic bad breath and family history of periodontal disease. When appropriate, they will refer them to dentists and periodontists who are uniquely qualified to evaluate and treat their patient’s oral conditions. This new era of interdisciplinary dental/ medical cooperation will undoubtedly result in improved patient health, as well as an improvement in overall patient longevity. Karen Lawitts, DDS, and Nancy Yeates, DDS, have a dental practice at 100 Intrepid Lane in Syracuse. For more information about their practice, call (315) 492-8138.
For You & Your Family Teeth Whitening Cleaning Crowns & Veneers Oral Cancer Screening Implants Sleep Apnea Appliances
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february 2013 :: syracuseWomanMag.com