Gum Disease and Heart Disease: Scientifically Linked!

As an holistic dentist, I’m used to having people question the practice. After all, if the ADA hasn’t specifically said that mercury is bad (even though it’s a well know and scientifically proven neuro-toxin recognized by the FDA), then why should they believe that mercury fillings are bad?

The fact of the matter is, many governing bodies in the health industries are looking out more for the doctors than for the patients.

This weekend I was reading some health news and came across the following article on centrahealth.com. Is this the irrefutable proof people need to understand and believe the link between gum disease and heart disease? If it means taking care of yourself, then I certainly hope so… but read on and find out for yourself….

TUESDAY, May 26 (HealthDay News) — A genetic link between gum disease (periodontitis) and heart disease has been discovered by German scientists. The association between periodontitis and coronary heart disease (CHD) has been known for years, but a genetic link between the conditions hadn’t been confirmed. The University of Kiel team found that the two diseases share a genetic variant on chromosome 9. “We studied a genetic locus on chromosome 9p21.3 that had previously been identified to be associated with myocardial infarction [heart attack], in a group of 151 patients suffering from the most aggressive, early-onset forms of periodontitis, and a group of 1,097 CHD patients who had already had a heart attack. The genetic variation associated with the clinical pictures of both diseases was identical,” Dr. Arne Schaefer said in a European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) news release. He and his colleagues verified this genetic association in additional groups of 180 periodontitis patients and 1,100 CHD patients. The study was presented May 25 at the annual ESHG conference, in Vienna, Austria. Because of the link between periodontitis and CHD, “we think that periodontitis should be taken very seriously by dentists and diagnosed and treated as early as possible,” Schaefer said. He noted that periodontitis and CHD share risk factors such as smoking, diabetes and obesity. “Now that we know for sure that there is a strong genetic link, patients with periodontitis should try to reduce their risk factors and take preventive measures at an early stage,” he said. “We hope that our findings will make it easier to diagnose the disease at an early stage, and that in future, a greater insight into the specific pathophysiology might open the way to effective treatment before the disease can take hold.”

SOURCE: European Society of Human Genetics, news release, May 25, 2009, and http://myhealth.centrahealth.com/healthnews/healthday/090526HD627365.htm

Dr. Marvin Explains Holistic Dentistry, Biological Dentistry, and Mercury Fillings

See Dr. Marvin get drilled by TV host Randy Alvarez on the Wellness Hour. 28 Minutes you don’t want to miss.

Gum Disease: Non-Surgical Gum Treatment

Non Surgical Intervention – Perio Protect™

More than 75 % of U.S. adults over 35 have some form of gum disease (or periodontal disease). Most who have the beginning stage of this disease don’t even know it.

The most severe version of gum disease is known as periodontitis. A less severe version is known as gingivitis. In many cases gingivitis is a precursor to periodontitis so all forms of gum disease should be seen as serious and not neglected. This disease is serious enough to be called the “silent epidemic” by former Surgeon General, David Satcher. It is also known as the “busy person’s disease” because people with very busy schedules often neglect their oral hygiene. It can be scary to hear that you have gum disease. Many people become embarrassed when they are told they have gum disease because they feel they have not paid enough attention to their oral hygiene; however, studies show that many adults lose ground even when they brush and floss regularly. A well-known phrase for growing older is growing “long in the tooth.” This phrase obviously indicates that it becomes increasingly more difficult to keep good oral hygiene for an entire lifetime.

When the symptoms become severe, with gums bleeding and teeth becoming loose, we tend to start paying attention. Unfortunately this level of belated intervention is now at the crisis level and can cause serious bone, tissue, and tooth loss.

The following list represents a few of the concerns people have regarding a periodontal exam or treatment:

• Fear of surgery
• Fear of loss of teeth
• Embarrassment and concern about their bleeding gums
• Sensitive/sore teeth
• Fearful that cleanings will be painful
• Long appointments
• Expensive treatments.

Convenient Comfortable Treatment

In our office the doctor provides various types of intervention treatments for all stages of the disease. Extremely minor symptoms are typically treated non-surgically with some patient education, a professional quality cleaning, and careful attention to follow-up visits.

For patients with moderate gingivitis through severe periodontitis, this office offers the convenient, comfortable Perio Protect™ treatment, which is a method that uses an FDA-cleared medical device that enables dentists in most cases to provide effective treatment with:

• No Painful Scraping
• No Expensive Surgery
• No Lengthy Appointments
• No Shots
• No Pain.

The Perio Protect™ system, which is very easy to use, has been proven in clinical studies to kill harmful bacteria within 72 hours.

Within days of using the medication, inflammation and swelling is reduced and bleeding gum tissue decreases dramatically. Bad breath, for many patients, is eliminated.

How it Works

You will be fitted for custom made mouth-pieces (Perio Trays™), which are similar to athletic mouthguards. They are very thin, soft, and comfortable.

The trays are made by an FDA-registered laboratory to the exact dimensions of your teeth. You will then take them home and add the doctor prescribed medications (which are usually in a gel form – similar in consistency to toothpaste) and wear them according to the doctor’s instruction (for only a few minutes at a time). This gel seeps above and below the gum line, modifying the biofilm (the calculus and tartar) which makes your brushing and flossing that much more effective. The hard calculus and tartar are turned into a soft chalky material that is easily removed by regular brushing and flossing. The gel also kills the bacteria, which allows your gums to heal.

You will be instructed on the frequency of usage based on your diagnosis. A great advantage of this method is that the entire treatment is done in the comfort of your own home. The medications used in this unique treatment also whiten your teeth and freshen your breath.

At each subsequent dental visit, our hygienist will gently remove any remaining softened deposits and evaluate the progress of your healing. Your dental visits will be quick, easy, and painless.

Imagine…. a new way of eliminating most gingival and connective tissue disease problems without pain or excessive expense. To see video testimonials from patients who have been through the system click here: http://www.perioprotect.com/testimonials.asp

Technorati Tags: gum disease, perioprotect

Diabetes and Your Oral Health

Diabetes can cause serious problems in your mouth. You can do something about it.

If you have diabetes, make sure you take care of your mouth. People with diabetes are at risk for mouth infections, especially periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease can damage the gum and bone that hold your teeth in place and may lead to painful chewing problems. Some people with serious gum disease lose their teeth. Periodontal disease may also make it hard to control your
blood glucose (blood sugar).

Other problems diabetes can cause are dry mouth and a fungal infection called thrush. Dry mouth happens when you do not have enough saliva—the fluid that keeps your mouth wet. Diabetes may also cause the glucose level in your saliva to increase. Together, these problems may lead to thrush, which causes painful white patches in your mouth.

You can keep your teeth and gums healthy. By controlling your blood glucose, brushing and flossing everyday, and visiting a dentist regularly, you can help prevent periodontal disease. If your diabetes is not under control, you are more likely to develop problems in your mouth.

Take steps to keep your mouth healthy. Call your dentist when you notice a problem.

If you have diabetes, follow these steps:

• Control your blood glucose.
• Brush and floss every day.
• Visit your dentist regularly. Be sure to tell your dentist that you have
  diabetes.
• Tell your dentist if your dentures (false teeth) do not fit right, or if
  your gums are sore.
• Quit smoking. Smoking makes gum disease worse. Your physician or dentist can
  help you quit.

Take time to check your mouth regularly for any problems. Sometimes people notice that their gums bleed when they brush and floss. Others notice dryness, soreness, white patches, or a bad taste in the mouth. All of these are reasons to visit your San Diego/ Encinitas Dentist.

Remember, good blood glucose control can help prevent mouth problems.