Category — heart disease

Your body has natural defensive barriers. Healthy gum tissue is one of those barriers.

In his article, “Are my bad teeth killing me?” Dr. Robert O. Nara wrote that bacteria that live in periodontal pockets are “festering cesspools” of trouble.

If someone with a heart defect contracts a bacterial infection through unhealthy gum tissue, it can travel to his or her heart and cause serious, sometime fatal, problems.

You can read Dr. Nara’s complete article here: http://mizar5.com/killing.htm [Read more →]

February is National Heart Health Month. I’m telling you again that poor dental health is linked to increased heart disease.

“A growing body of research suggests an association between severe gum disease and certain serious health conditions, such as heart disease – the number one cause of death in U.S. women,” said Altagracia Chavez, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, Cleveland, Ohio, and member of WomenHeart’s Scientific Advisory Council.

Please make an appointment with your dental professional now.

What I know  for sure is that it’s all connected.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
www.gotteethguide.com for your Free Tips.

Research shows that stress can make it difficult for our bodies to fight all infections, including periodontal disease and heart disease. Teeth grinding is an indication of stress.

The following techniques may help you stop grinding your teeth:

1. Find ways to reduce your stress level and relax.
2. Avoid or limit the amount of caffeine and alcohol you consume.
3. Ask your dentist about the use of a night guard.
4. If an abnormal bite is the cause of teeth grinding, your dentist can treat the improper alignment. [Read more →]

Stroke has multiple risk factors that you can control:

1. Gum disease
2. Poor diet
3. Obesity
4. High cholesterol
5. Diabetes
6. Cigarette smoking

Assess your risk for stroke by being aware of risk factors that you cannot control:

1. Age
2. Genetics
3. Gender [Read more →]

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an antioxident dietary supplement primarily marketed as being beneficial for our gums and hearts.

When I was interviewed by Dr. Meg Jordan on NPR, May 23, 2007, a listener called in asking about it. I hadn’t heard of it at that time, so Dr. Jordan challenged me to research and blog about it. Ibegan to take it, hoping for healthier gums and a healthier heart.

People are blogging about it, vitamin stores are pitching it, and it’s on the vitamin supplement list my periodontist hands out to his patients with a recommendation of 30MG, 3 times a day. [Read more →]

Frederic Pashkow, M.D., University of Hawaii’s School of Medicine, says that periodontal disease is now considered the second leading risk factor for heart disease after smoking.

Studies by the American Academy of Periodontology, the National Institute of Health (NIH), and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research show that people with adult periodontitis may have an increased risk of having a fatal heart attack. They are more likely to be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease caused by bacteria from the mouth increasing clotting problems in the cardiovascular system. [Read more →]

You can lessen the risk of heart attacks and periodontal disease by flossing your teeth correctly.

Sally Cram, D.D.S. a periodontist in Washington, D.C. and a spokesperson for the American Dental Association says,

“After brushing your teeth with a soft toothbrush, hold the brush against your gums at a 45-degree angle and lightly massage with short, circular strokes. For the best protection, go the full two minutes; most people brush for fewer than 30 seconds. Mouthwash isn’t necessary, but if you like to use it, look for products that contain menthol, thymol, and eucalyptol.”

And you thought you knew how to floss. Learn more at http://www.aarpmagazine.org/health/9_Secrets_Better_Health.html

What I know for sure is that it’s all connected.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
www.gotteethguide.com