Can My Teeth Give Me A Heart Attack?
By Dr. Glen Stephenson

For the last century physicians and dentists have assumed that your mouth was not part of your body.  Crazy as that sounds, it’s true.  I know all that schooling, tests and cases should have led us to a different conclusion but the effect of a healthy (or unhealthy) mouth is just beginning to be recognized.
   
Now, the links to Heart disease, Diabetes, Low-birthweight babies, and many other health problems are coming to light.  People that have poor brushing and flossing habits regularly end up with bleeding gums and different forms of gum disease.  Unhealthy gums then provide the 700 different types of bacteria access to our bloodstream.

“The mouth is probably the dirtiest place in the human body," said Dr Steve Kerrigan from the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland.

"If you have an open blood vessel from bleeding gums, bacteria will gain entry to your bloodstream. When bacteria get into the bloodstream they encounter tiny fragments called platelets that clot blood when you get a cut. By sticking to the platelets bacteria cause them to clot inside the blood vessel, partially blocking it. This prevents the blood flow back to the heart and we run the risk of suffering a heart attack."

What You Can Do

To prevent most of the problems associated with your oral health, it’s time to go on the offensive against those bacterial health bandits! 

Here are some ideas:

Get in the Arms Race
Using a manual toothbrush is like going to war with  just a bow and arrow.  Sure you could kill someone with it, but it is not very likely.  Arm yourself with even a low end electric toothbrush and you will have much greater success.

String Yourself Up
You knew is was coming didn’t you, floss is essential to a healthy smile.  If I were trapped on a desert island and I could pick either unlimited tooth brushes or floss, I pick floss every time.  It prevents gum disease, cavities and bad breath.  It is a true triple threat. 

See a Pro at Least Twice a Year
We all have difficult areas to clean.  Your dentist and hygienist team can help identify and prevent the advancement of disease.  If you already have gum disease, it is incurable-- but highly treatable.  Only a professional can get into those areas and eliminate the bacteria that case serious health problems. 

Preventive maintanace of your teeth and gums requires some time and effort.  The payoff is the use of your teeth for a lifetime of chewing, speaking and hopefully smiling.

About the Author
In 1994, Dr. Stephenson was accepted into the dental program at the Oregon Health Sciences University where he was trained by some of most well known dental educators available. He graduated in 1998 earning clinical and academic honors.

It was in Boise that Dr. Stephenson opened his dental practice, Prevention Dental, focusing on family dentistry. He loves dentistry and particularly enjoys the day-to-day interaction he has with his patients. Currenly, Prevention Dental serves patients from Boise, Meridian, Eagle, and surrounding areas.

Dr. Stephenson is a member of the American Dental Association, the Southwest Idaho Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry and the Dental Organization for Sedation Dentistry as well as the American Board of Family Dentists.