Regular dental visits are also important. Daily cleaning will keep calculus formation to a minimum, but it won't completely prevent it. A professional cleaning at least twice a year is necessary to remove calculus from places your toothbrush, floss and other cleaning aids may have missed. If you've had periodontal disease and have been treated, you may need professional maintenance more frequently.
Remember, good oral hygiene and regular professional care are the keys to preventing periodontal disease. Teeth were meant to last a lifetime, and with a little tender, loving care, they can.
Heart and Periodontal Disease
It’s possible that if you have periodontal disease, you may be at risk of cardiovascular disease.
For a long time we've known that bacteria may affect the heart.
Now evidence is mounting that suggests people with periodontal disease — a bacterial infection, may be more at risk for heart disease, and have nearly twice the risk of having a fatal heart attack than patients without periodontal disease.
While more research is needed to confirm how periodontal bacteria may affect your heart, one possibility is that periodontal bacteria enter the blood through inflamed gums and cause small blood clots that contribute to clogged arteries
Another possibility is that the inflammation caused by periodontal disease contributes to the buildup of fatty deposits inside heart arteries.
One out of every 5 Americans has one or more types of heart disease. If you are one of these Americans, or if you are at risk for periodontal disease (see pages 5-6), see a periodontist for a periodontal evaluation — because healthy gums may lead to a healthier body.
What precautions should be taken before dental treatment?
Periodontal disease can affect the heart in other ways. Some existing heart conditions can put people at risk for infective endocarditis. Infective endocarditis is characterized by inflammation of the lining of the heart and heart valves. Those patients with a history of rheumatic fever, mitral valve prolapse or heart murmur may require antibiotics prior to dental procedures. Your periodontist and cardiologist will be able to determine if your heart condition requires use of antibiotics prior to dental appointments.
The American Heart Association has identified guidelines to help protect patients most at risk for infective endocarditis. These people may be especially prone to problems with their heart following a dental procedure.
If you are at risk for infective endocarditis, your dentist or periodontist may take steps to help limit the entry of bacteria into the blood stream during dental procedures, including:
- treatment of any existing periodontal infection
- prescribing antibiotics prior to the procedure
- asking you to make more regular maintenance visits
- helping you to prevent periodontal disease by reviewing proper home care for your teeth
If you know that you have heart disease or currently receive treatment for a cardiovascular complication, it is especially important for you to have good periodontal health. See a periodontist for a periodontal evaluation.
Diabetes and Periodontal Disease
The two-way relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes.
For years we've known that people with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than people without diabetes.
Recently, research has emerged suggesting that the relationship goes both ways - periodontal disease may make it more difficult for people who have diabetes to control their blood sugar.
More research is needed to confirm how periodontal disease can make it more difficult to control blood sugar. What we do know is that severe periodontal disease can increase blood sugar, contributing to increased periods of time when your body functions with a high blood sugar. And, as a diabetic, you know that this puts you at increased risk for diabetic complications. In other words, controlling your periodontal disease may help you control your diabetes.
If you are among the nearly 16 million Americans in the U.S. who live with diabetes, or are at risk for periodontal disease, see a periodontist for an evaluation - because healthy gums may lead to a healthier body.
Pregnancy and Periodontal Disease
It's possible that if you have periodontal disease and are pregnant, you may be at risk for having a premature, low birthweight baby.
For a long time we've known that many risk factors contribute to mothers having babies that are born prematurely at a low birthweight - smoking, alcohol use, drug use and infections.
Now evidence is mounting that suggests a new risk factor - periodontal disease. Pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that is born too early or too small.
More research is needed to confirm how periodontal disease may affect pregnancy outcomes. What we do know is that periodontal disease is an infection and all infections are cause for concern among pregnant women because they pose a risk to the health of the baby.
If you are planning to become pregnant or are at risk for periodontal disease be sure to include a periodontal evaluation with a periodontist as part of your prenatal care - because healthy gums may lead to a healthier body and a healthy baby.
Respiratory and Periodontal Disease
It's possible that if you have periodontal disease, you may be at risk for respiratory disease.
For a long time we've known that people who smoke, are elderly, or have health problems that suppress the immune system, are at increased risk for the development of respiratory diseases like pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Now, growing research is beginning to suggest a new risk factor - periodontal disease. If you have periodontal disease, you may be at increased risk for respiratory disease.
More research is needed to confirm how periodontal disease may put people at increased risk for respiratory disease. What we do know is that infections in the mouth, like periodontal disease, are associated with increased risk of respiratory infection.
If you are at risk for respiratory disease or periodontal disease see a periodontist for a periodontal evaluation - because healthy gums may lead to a healthier body.
