Dental Health issues

[Guest guest]

Here's more info on this subject, which many of us implanted women

have struggled with (increased dental problems).

http://mizar5.com/lifeexpectancy.html

The relationship between

oral health

and life expectancy

Many people may not understand how oral health may affect life

expectancy. So the first step would be to recognise the mouth as a

major gateway into the human body. It is the upper part of the

digestive system and has a structure that prepares food for the

first phase of digestion.

The mouth contains the tongue, teeth, hard and soft palate, and gum,

salivary glands and the mucosa. And a dentist is specially trained

to give professional care to all the parts of the mouth.

The body has various inter-connected systems of organs. This means

that if there is a problem with one part of the body, it may affect

other parts. A disease of any part of the mouth may be associated

with some other organs in other parts of the body.

A person with gum infection may suffer from general body malaise and

loss of appetite. A person with tooth ache may also suffer from

severe headache and earache.

It is important to note at this point, that oral health is different

from dental health. Oral health refers to the entire parts of the

mouth while dental health refers only to the teeth. Several diseases

affecting the general health of the body have been linked to the

health of the parts of the mouth.

Vitamins are vital elements needed by all tissues of the human body

for optimum health. Vitamins include A,B,C,D,E and K, deficiency of

any of these may affect oral health. Deficiency of vitamin C may

cause tear of the angle of the mouth, deficiency of vitamins A and B

may cause the tongue to become glossy with a burning sensation.

Recurrent mouth ulcer may also be due to vitamin C and B complex

deficiency.

Sometimes, diseases that result in death start from the mouth and

can be detected by the dentist. Mouth ulcer is one of the early

manifestations of HIV/AIDS, cancer or diabetes mellitus. When a

person suffers from mouth ulcers that may or may not be painful and

after treatment is no better, it may be a sign of an underlying

deadly disease.

A decayed tooth, if left untreated for a long time, may become

infected, which may extend to the root of the tooth and then into

the bone. This is called tooth-bone abscess and can be lethal if it

involves the space in the lower jaw and throat and if not properly

managed.

Gum disease is a condition where the gum and associated tissues are

gradually being destroyed. The medical term for it is periodontitis

and it requires urgent attention.

From the foregoing, it is clear that the mouth is part of our

general body health and people with poor oral health may suffer from

poor general body health as well. If the mouth is properly cared

for, there is an increased chance to live a good long life.

Excerpt from The Tide Online

September 20, 2005

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See Dr. Nara's, 'Are My Bad Teeth Killing Me?'

<>

Levels of Bacteria in Plaque May Increase Risk for Heart Attacks

<>Researchers Warn: Don't Let Your Mouth Pollute Your Clean Heart

Researchers have found evidence

that the amount of bacteria in subgingival plaques, the deep

plaques in periodontal pockets

and around the teeth, may con-

tribute to an individual's risk

of a heart attack, according to

two studies appearing in the

Journal of Periodontology. These studies further researchers'

understanding that periodontal bacteria may increase the risk

for heart disease.

In one study researchers looked

at 150 individuals with perio-

dontal diseases and found that

the total number of periodontal bacteria in subgingival plaques

was higher in individuals that

have suffered from an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack).

The second study found

that the same DNA from different kinds of periodontal bacteria

in plaque was also in the

patients' heart arteries.

Researchers believe that these findings may help substantiate

what they have long known; if

there is a sterile pathway, such

as a bloodstream, near a periodontally infected area that

the bacteria from this infected

area cause inflammation in the

gums that opens up pores in the surrounding blood vessels, which

enables the bacteria to enter the bloodstream and travel to other

parts of the body and cause great harm.

" It is like setting up a garbage dump on the edge

of a river. You wouldn't

be surprised if the lake downstream ended up pol-

luted with the garbage

from the dump, " said J Iacono, DMD and presi-

dent of the American Academy of Periodontology. " A patient's

bloodstream acts very much like

the river in this analogy, in that it carries the bacteria from the

periodontal plaques, possibly `polluting' the arteries of the heart

with periodontal bacteria, causing inflammation of the ar-

teries which may lead to a heart attack. This potential effect of

periodontal bacteria further supports the need for periodic

deep cleanings to enhance overall health and wellbeing. "

These studies represent two in a large body of research that

investigates the possible link

between periodontal diseases and other systemic conditions such as

heart disease. " Intervention

data is not available to prove a causal relationship between the

two. Right now we are currently

advising patients that maintain-

ing good periodontal health can

only help not hurt, " said Iacono.

From the American Academy of Periodontology