Month: June 2023

Cardiovascular diseases and periodontal issues have been known to have a relationship. Researchers have shown that the bacteria living in our mouths responsible for gum diseases can move into our bloodstream and elevate C-reactive protein (a marker that denotes inflammation of blood vessels.) When this happens, it increases our chance of stroke and heart issues.

People with cardiovascular problems need to take special care of their teeth. You must make your dentist aware of your heart disease, giving them your complete medical history and a list of all medicines you are taking and the dosages. It will enable your dentist to design a specific treatment plan for you, including selecting the right medications for dental procedures.

The Relationship Between Heart Disease and Poor Oral Health

There are several theories about why there is a relationship between cardiovascular conditions and oral health. Some of the common ones are:

• Bacteria in gums that cause gingivitis and periodontitis can travel into the bloodstream, causing inflammation of blood vessels. They can also cause other damages like heart attack, tiny blood clots, or stroke. This idea is backed by finding remains of mouth bacteria inside atherosclerotic blood vessels, which are far from the mouth.
• The body’s immune response results in inflammation which causes a cascade of vascular damage all through the body, including the brain and heart.

Which Cardiovascular Disease Requires Special Dental Considerations?

You must speak with your cardiologist before undergoing dental treatment if you have any heart condition. The list below talks about some of the conditions and the precautions you must take for each.

• Myocardial fraction (heart attack) – If you have suffered a heart attack, it is advised to wait six months before undergoing an extensive dental procedure. You could still have dental cleanings done. Check with your dentist if nitroglycerin or oxygen is available at their clinic so that appropriate measures can be taken in case a medical emergency arises.
• Endocarditis – Some people have a high risk of developing bacterial endocarditis, an infection of the heart’s inner lining. Such patients need to take special care of their oral hygiene every day. Traditionally, patients suffering from this condition are advised to take antibiotics before doing dental work. But the AHA (American Heart Association) revised this guideline and stated that only those at the highest risk of developing this disease would be required to take antibiotics before dental procedures. Your dentist could tell you whether you belong to the high-risk group. Patients who need to undergo valve surgery must have exceptional oral hygiene and consult a dentist before their surgery. Unhealthy teeth are a source of bacteria that can cause endocarditis.
• Antiplatelet and Anticoagulants medications – If you are taking any blood-thinning medicines, for instance, warfarin, then ensure you mention this to your dentist. You could encounter excessive bleeding during oral surgery procedures if you take such medications.
• Hypertension or high blood pressure – Your sense of taste might alter, or you might develop dry mouth due to some antihypertensive medicines. Calcium channel blockers cause gum tissues to overgrow and swell, causing problems with chewing. If you have gum overgrowth, your dentist recommends a detailed oral hygiene routine. You might also be required to visit your dentist frequently for dental cleanings. In rare cases, gum surgery might also be performed. Excess gum tissue can be removed by a procedure called a gingivectomy. Your dentist will use a scalpel, laser, electrosurgery unit, or diamond dental burs to remove excess gum tissue.
• Stroke – You might not produce adequate saliva due to stroke, and your dentist might suggest using artificial saliva. If your tongue, face, or dominant hand is affected due to the stroke, you might need to use fluoride gels and modify your brush and floss routine. Your dentist would give you detailed information on maintaining the best oral hygiene.
• Angina – Those who have angina are treated with calcium channel blockers, resulting in gum overgrowth. You might have to undergo gum surgery for this issue. You also want to ensure your dentist has a supply of nitroglycerin and oxygen at their clinic in case any medical emergency arises during dental surgery. Though stable angina patients can undergo many types of dental procedures, those with unstable or accelerated angina should avoid nonessential or elective dental procedures. Such patients should get their heart conditions evaluated by their cardiologist before they get these procedures done. People with accelerated angina should get dental procedures done in hospitals that have cardiac monitoring ability.

Points To Keep In Mind For Heart Disease And Dental Care

• Provide your dentist with the complete list of medications and their dosages that you are currently on for your heart condition. You must also mention any non-prescription drugs you are taking. It will help your dentist determine the best course of treatment for you and the appropriate medications to use during dental procedures.
• Give your doctor’s name and phone number to the dentist if s/he needs to talk to them about your oral care.

Your oral health and heart disease have a strong link. The medications you take for your cardiovascular condition can affect dental procedures; hence, you must inform your dentist about them.

A healthy mouth and teeth are more than just a white, bright smile. Good oral health and hygiene can improve your health, and the risk of severe diseases can be reduced by maintaining good oral hygiene. 

Your overall health and oral health have a two-way relationship. Oral diseases can cause health diseases and vice-versa. If you are facing health problems, your oral health might be affected. For example, diabetes increases the chances of gum disease. On the other hand, diabetes becomes hard to manage if you are suffering from gum disease. 

You should protect yourself by knowing more about the connection between your overall and oral health.

How are your oral health and overall health connected?

Like other areas, your mouth teems with bacteria. The mouth is the main entry point to our respiratory and digestive tracts; some bacteria can enter our mouths and cause diseases. Our good oral health care, such as daily flossing and brushing, can keep the bacteria under control.

However, bacteria can reach our bodies if we do not follow a proper oral hygiene routine, which may lead to oral infections, including gum disease and tooth decay.

Studies suggest that the inflammation and oral bacteria associated with gum disease can play a significant role in some diseases. There are some diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and diabetes, that can lower the resistance of the body to severe infections, and this makes oral health problems very severe.

What are some conditions which can be linked to oral health?

Your dental health might contribute to some major health issues, including:

• Endocarditis: This infection occurs when bacteria from another part of your body, such as the mouth, spread through the bloodstream and attach to some areas in your heart.
• Cardiovascular disease: Some research suggests that the diseases of the heart, stroke, and clogged arteries might be linked to the infections and inflammation which oral bacteria can cause.
• Pneumonia: Some bacteria in our mouth can be pulled into our lungs, causing respiratory diseases and pneumonia.
• Pregnancy: Periodontitis has been linked to low birth weight and premature birth.

What are the advantages of keeping our teeth and gums healthy?

• Boosts confidence and self-esteem: Decayed gums and teeth are associated with an unsightly mouth and bad breath, which can affect our self-image, confidence, and self-esteem. Our quality of life improves with a healthy mouth free of cavities and gum disease. This allows us to sleep better, eat properly and concentrate with no mouth infections to distract us.
• Lower risk of heart diseases: Chronic inflammation from the diseases of gums has been associated with cardiovascular problems such as blockages of blood vessels, heart disease, and strokes. According to experts, there is a cause-and-effect relationship between gum disease and health problems. Experts suggest that maintaining oral hygiene helps to protect our overall health.
• Preserves memory: According to one of the reports in the Journal of neurology, neurosurgery & psychiatry, adults with gingivitis performed worse on memory and cognitive skills than those with healthier mouths and gums. Therefore, taking care of your oral health becomes essential, and it can preserve your memory.
• Reduce the inflammation and risk of infection in your body: Poor oral health is linked to infection in various body parts. Research has found a relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and gum diseases that can cause inflammation of joints. Seeing your dentist regularly, eating a balanced diet, and taking care of your oral hygiene can help you avoid gum disease and tooth decay. 

How to protect your oral health and be free from all diseases?

To care for your oral health, you should practice good oral hygiene regularly, keeping your body and mouth free from all diseases. Here are some ways of maintaining good oral hygiene:

• Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes both the time. Try using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush. You should also floss daily.
• Use mouthwash to remove the food particles left after flossing and brushing.
• Have a healthy diet and restrict sugary drinks and foods.
• Replace your brush once every two to three months.
• Schedule your regular dental cleanings and cleanings.

You can contact your dentist when you encounter an oral health problem. If you take care of your dental health, it would be an investment made in your overall health.