Atlantic Ave Magazine October 2016 Issue

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health & beauty ║ Your Dental Health
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Brush for health,
brush for life
BY Craig Spodak, DMD, PA
For every $1 you spend on your dental health,
you will save $20 on your medical expenses.
Overview
You might think that brushing twice a
day isn’t necessary because your teeth
don’t hurt or because they appear white
and strong. Wrong. There is more to your
oral health than meets the eye, and if you
aren’t maintaining a regular oral health
regimen, your entire body is at risk.
An estimated 65 million Americans have
periodontal disease, which is inflammation
and infection of the ligaments and bones
that support the teeth. Over the past decade,
an increasing (and alarming) amount
of scientific evidence has shown an association
between periodontal disease and
systemic diseases affecting other areas of
the body, such as cardiovascular disease,
stroke, diabetes and preterm low birth
weight babies. Moreover, the connection
between gum disease and heart attacks is
higher than the connection between high
cholesterol and heart attacks.
The Connection
Gingivitis (the early stages of periodontal
disease) is seen in more than 90 percent
of the population, and is one of the most
common diseases to affect humans, even
more so than the common cold.
Patients with diseased gums release
significantly higher levels of bacterial
components, such as endotoxins, into the
bloodstream where they can travel to other
organs in the body. The mouth can be a
major source of chronic or permanent release
of toxic bacterial components in the
bloodstream during chewing and swallowing.
Those with severe periodontal disease
have four times more harmful bacterial
products in their blood, meaning there is
a higher chance this bacteria will travel to
your heart, brain, lungs, etc.
48 October 2016 | www.AtlanticAveMagazine.com
Cardiovascular disease is the leading
cause of mortality in the United States and
accounts for about 30 percent of all deaths
each year. In fact, people with periodontal
disease are up to two times more likely to
have cardiovascular disease, regardless of
other risk factors such as diabetes, smoking
or high blood pressure.
When You See Your Dentist
Visit your dentist so he/she can diagnose
your current oral health and explain
the findings clearly, along with any association
to long-term mouth and body health.
Additionally, some health insurance companies
are monitoring members with complex
health problems to ensure they’re receiving
dental treatments early on, which
can reduce medical care costs in the long
run. Your dentist is in a great position to
help you manage your oral health and, in
the process, ensure that oral bacteria and
pathogens don’t infiltrate other areas of
your body.
Make a habit of brushing your teeth
twice a day, floss at least once a day, visit
your dentist regularly for cleanings and
don’t smoke. The goal is to keep yourself
happy and healthy, and out of the hospital,
and your dentist is here to help.
Spodak Dental Group
3911 West Atlantic Avenue
Delray Beach
561-498-0050
www.SpodakDental.com