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Preventative Treatment of Heart Problems Through Improving Oral Health
Many people do not realize that heart problems and dental issues are linked together as part of the oral health connection. In reality, all body systems are interconnected, meaning what happens in one often reflects (or affects) the other. As a result, preventing heart problems may start with improving oral health.
A total oral health doctor can help you better understand the oral health connection and treat your unique and individual needs. At Dental Care of Morrisville, we can help you prevent heart problems through improving your oral health. We are proud to serve Morrisville and the surrounding area. Call us today at (919) 588-3000 to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services.
What Happens During a Total Oral Health Dentistry Visit
While most traditional dentists focus on treating isolated dental problems, total oral health doctors look at patients' health in its entirety. Traditional dentists often only treat patients as passive recipients of care — that is, they do not explain what sort of "healthy mouth baseline" they should be working towards or how to get there. In contrast, total oral health doctors understand that successful relationships with their patients must be collaborative and involve some degree of patient education.
Total oral health dentistry is a dynamic process to be maintained. Annual wellness visits are necessary to get the best results. During these visits, our team members work closely with the patient to best understand their concerns while also identifying potential risk areas, particularly when it comes to inflammation. We will check blood pressure, conduct an oral cancer screening, and ask about sleep to consider all possible factors.
“Total oral health dentistry is a dynamic process to be maintained.”
How Heart Health Can Affect Oral Health
Since oral health and heart health are connected, it should come as no surprise that patients with heart disease may need specific adjustments to their dental care. Patients who have had a heart attack, stroke, heart failure, high blood pressure, or even chest pain (also known as angina) should consult their cardiologists before undergoing any dental treatments. Once approved to go to the dentist, patients should tell their dentists about any medications they are taking and ask about what measures the team may take in case of a medical emergency.
Total oral health doctors should be prepared to make any of these adjustments as necessary. While traditional dentists tend to treat isolated conditions, total oral health doctors take a more look at patients in their entirety. This means taking a more involved look at medical histories and pre-existing health conditions while also keeping an eye out for potential comorbidities.
The Importance of the Oral Health Connection
Total oral health dentistry is a collaborative effort between the patient and the doctor, meaning the patient must also take an active role in their care. Part of this is being forthcoming about their medical history and pre-existing conditions. As oral health and heart health exist in correlation, it is only natural for patients with heart conditions to require adjustments to their dental care.
Patients with heart conditions are often on medications or have other vulnerabilities that may cause complications during dental procedures. All of these factors can negatively affect the dental treatment process, potentially causing further heart problems or other medical emergencies. Even if a patient experiences an emergency for an unrelated reason, our team will only be able to provide optimal care if we know the full extent of an individual’s unique medical history and pre-existing conditions. Otherwise, there is a risk of further aggravating the situation.
“As oral health and heart health exist in correlation to each other, it is only natural that patients with heart conditions may require adjustments to their dental care.”
What Oral Health Can Say About Heart Health
Although research on the relationship between heart health and oral health is continuing, that the two are correlated in some way. For instance, studies show that periodontitis is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Patients with poor dental health are also at higher risk for developing a bacterial infection in the bloodstream, which can affect the heart valves. Additionally, there is a relationship between tooth loss patterns and coronary artery disease.
To elaborate, though there is still not enough evidence to determine a causal relationship between the two, studies show that patients with periodontitis have a two to three times higher risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or another serious cardiovascular event. Furthermore, the mouth acts as an entryway for bacteria to the body. As such, proper oral hygiene is necessary to keep infection at bay. Finally, at least one study found that middle-aged adults who lost at least two teeth had a 23% higher risk of cardiovascular disease than those who did not.
What Heart Health and Oral Health Have in Common
Heart health is not only affected by the oral-systemic link. Several different systemic conditions may also affect (and be affected by) a patient’s heart health. Some of these conditions are also correlated with oral health. These involve diabetes, malnutrition, and obesity. If severe enough, such conditions may cause arrhythmias, affect the heart’s structure, or promote cardiovascular disease or coronary heart disease. All are likely to increase demands on the heart.
Unmanaged diabetes can harm the eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart, teeth, and more. Those with diabetes have an increased risk of periodontitis (also known as gum disease), a condition with well-established links to heart disease. Furthermore, studies show that periodontitis increases the risk of heart disease and can exacerbate existing heart conditions. Malnutrition and obesity can similarly aggravate periodontitis, leading to a domino effect.
Questions Answered on This Page
Frequently Asked Questions
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Dental Terminology
Angina
Angina refers to any chest discomfort or pain that may occur due to coronary heart disease.
Arrhythmia
An arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat.
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
Heart Disease
Heart disease includes a wide range of cardiovascular issues such as diseased vessels, structural problems, and blood clots.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is an abnormal elevation of the arterial blood pressure.
Oral-Systemic Link
The oral-systemic link refers to the link between oral health and systemic health.
Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene is the practice of maintaining the cleanliness of the mouth, teeth, and gums through brushing, flossing, and regular dental appointments.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is a lethal gum infection that results from poor oral hygiene, damaging soft tissue and destroying the bones that support the teeth.
Total Health Dentistry
Total health dentistry is a form of alternative dentistry that focuses on the total health of the patient.
Wellness Visits
Dental wellness visits are visits that occur at least once annually to ensure that the patient is at a healthy mouth baseline.