Milton Dental Practice
Dental Health Matters
Serious threats to health caused by gum disease – new research points to strong links between gum health and life-threatening conditions including premature birth. “Treating the symptoms of gum disease is particularly important in pregnant women, as it appears to raise the blood levels of the chemicals that start labour.” Such statistics make uncomfortable reading – what can you do to ensure that you don’t put your health or the health of your unborn baby at risk? Talk to your dentist or for further information and references, visit the British Dental Health Foundation Website: “Tell me about - Healthy gums and healthy body”.
Dr Trevor Bigg, Milton Dental Practice BDS, MGDS RCS(Eng), FDS RCS(Ed), FFGDP(UK)
Gum disease has been described as swelling, soreness or infection of the tissues supporting the teeth but it is normally pain-free, so patients can be unaware that they have the disease. It makes common sense that healthy gums must be better for the body’s health in general, not only because strong, firm teeth are better at chewing the fibrous foods that are good for you, but also because long-standing infection anywhere in the body can eventually damage the body’s natural defence system. In the last few years, however, significant research has suggested an even closer link between gum disease and many serious life-threatening conditions including heart disease, strokes, diabetes and lung disease – it is even thought to cause premature and low birth-weight babies. Dentists have known for some time that when we chew, bacteria enter the blood supply and travel round the body - the worse the gum disease, the greater the number of bacteria entering the blood - proteins from these bacteria can cause the blood to clot. This affects the blood supply to the heart and the brain, leading to blocked blood vessels and a greater risk of heart disease and strokes. Some lung disease, such as bacterial pneumonia, 76
Cotswold Homes Magazine
At Milton Dental Practice, for example, we employ two excellent hygienists, Helen and Katie. With their help, and our patients’ dedication, we’ve managed to improve the gum health of nearly all our patients, so don’t worry, just take early action and put your fears at rest. for example, is likely to be caused by breathing in droplets containing bacteria from the mouth and throat. As infected gums contain more bacteria, this increases the chance of getting lung disease. Meanwhile, diabetes affects 2.5 million people in the UK. This disease, left uncontrolled, increases the risk of infection and reduces the body’s ability to heal because one of the body’s building blocks, collagen, is manufactured more slowly in diabetics. Collagen is essential for the healing of gum disease and uncontrolled diabetes may affect this process. Treating the symptoms of gum disease is particularly important in pregnant women, as it appears to raise the blood levels of the chemicals that start labour. Pregnant women with untreated gum disease are three times more likely to have a premature and low birth-weight baby, with a one-infour chance that a pregnant woman with untreated gum disease will give birth before 35 weeks.
We all know how regular check-ups can prevent tooth decay - the same is true for your general health. There is a good chance you can improve your general health if you take care of your oral health. So, overcome your reluctance to sit in the dentist’s chair! Make an appointment to check how your healthy your gums are, especially if it’s a while since you have visited! Dr. Bigg has the Membership in General Dental Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons, London, the Fellowship in Dental Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh and London and the Fellowship of the Pierre Fauchard Academy. He is Past President of the British Society for General Dental Surgery and was presented the ‘Straumann Award for Oustanding Achievements in the field of Dentistry.To arrange an appointment, visit www.drbigg. com, and see the Privilege Card section (p 111)