Oral health is not just about a great smile.

Oral Inflammation

Oral health and wellness is an essential component of preventive cardiology, a significant accessory to diabetic treatment, and a major part of the deterrence of any kind of inflammatory illness.

We Are One of the Founding Participants of the American Academy for Oral Systemic Wellness.

The American Academy of Oral Systemic Health

Inflammation is the body’s response to bacteria, viruses, and injury, and persistent inflammation, like that associated with periodontal disease, could create significant health risks if not properly treated on time.

The mouth is the gateway for many pathogenic bacteria that can negatively affect our health. It’s also a location for potential infections that can cause serious health issues, and as a result, proper oral health must be maintained.

Because this gateway never stops, there is always a risk that these negative bacteria can spread throughout the body, causing all types of inflammatory diseases.

Here are a couple of key facts to consider:

Some recent groundbreaking studies have addressed the critical importance of good oral hygiene and the role it plays in your overall health.

Consider the following:

The American Heart Association Journal cites studies showing a direct link between oral pathogens (those associated with periodontal disease) and acute heart attacks. The studies have shown that as many as half of all heart attacks are triggered by oral pathogens. In other words, quality dental care and good oral health should be a part of any discussion about heart attack prevention.
In a study of more than 500,000 participants, periodontal disease was shown to be a major risk factor for strokes. More importantly, the same study shows that when periodontal treatment is performed the risk for stroke is reduced significantly.
When it comes to those suffering from diabetes, periodontal treatment has been shown to be as effective in lowering A1C levels as most medications, but doesn’t include many of the harmful side effects. Plus, a reduction in oral inflammation in diabetics can lead to a decrease in health-care costs by as much as 25% per year.
Several recent studies have shown that periodontal disease and/or early tooth loss could be an indication of increased risk for dementia.
Recent research has found that many common oral pathogens may not simply contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s Disease, but they may actually be the cause of it.

Here’s What the Medical Field Has to Say About Oral Inflammation

Oral swelling has a substantial effect on overall inflammatory disease, and not only is the elimination of such inflammation helpful, but it is getting to a point where the medical community is demanding it.

At a recent symposium on the heart, Dr. Marc Penn, MD, PhD, the former director of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Cleveland Clinic, stated very clearly, “Don’t ever forget to look at periodontal disease as an important source of inflammation in reference to cardiovascular disease.”

One of the most influential cardiovascular surgeons, Dr Lloyd Rudy, said it best when he compared the body’s inflammatory response to infection to that of a house fire. “Inflammation is fire. When vascular walls around the heart catch fire, we have heart attacks and strokes. Think of the body as a house and the mouth as the kitchen – when we have gum disease, we have a ‘fire’ in our ‘kitchen’ that may “burn down the house.”

Some of the latest research on oral inflammation is shedding new light on this indisputable truth.

Oral health and wellness an essential components of preventive cardiology, a significant accessory to diabetic treatment, and a major part of the deterrence of any kind of inflammatory illness. This is why managing oral inflammation is so crucial. This is why taking a look at periodontal disease through the new lens of oral-systemic wellness is so critical for our clients’ health.

The majority of the time, you can’t see inflammation, and chances are, it probably doesn’t hurt. Fortunately, our dental professionals now perform a simple test for oral inflammation, and we include it as part of every dental exam.

We now know what the problem is, and the research proves it. The mouth is not simply just another part of the body; it’s the MOST important part.

The mouth is where life begins. Let’s not let it end there!

What happens in your mouth doesn't stay in your mouth.

Take a few minutes to watch this video clip that explains bacteria buildup in your mouth and the link to systemic diseases. You’ll be amazed!

You have a choice

At Citrus Heights Dental, you have a choice in dental care.

Your dental insurance usually covers the least expensive, professionally accepted treatment procedures. At Citrus Heights Dental, you can choose to upgrade to premium dental treatment options for an additional cost. Ask us for the details!