Dental bacteria can kill more than a smile

If you experience chronic oral infections, don't floss regularly and have poor oral hygiene, you might be putting more than just your teeth in jeopardy. You should be aware that studies are revealing a link between neglecting your teeth and more serious health problems.

Dentists have known for years that oral infections pose a significant hazard to heart valves, but new research indicates that chronic dental infections may also contribute to hardening of the arteries, heart attack, stroke, and even pre-term births. The root cause seems to be the millions of bacteria living and breeding inside your mouth.

Even the healthiest mouth is not a sterile invironment. There are more than 200 types of bacteria swimming around your teeth and gums. Oral bacteria regularly build up between your teeth and gums. Bleeding gum tissue can allow these harmful bacteria to flow into your bloodstream and to travel anywhere in your body. Inflammation sets in where bacteria finally settle, and your immune system can't always fight off the resulting infection.

Gum disease begins at or below the gumline with painless infections and often no visible signs or symptoms. Left untreated, these infections can lead to inflammation of the gums and bone around your teeth. Bacteria build up cell by cell to form colonies along the gumline which can be resistant to antibiotics. Other germs will grow down your tooth and migrate into your blood vessels. Dental plaque (the sticky film of bacteria surrounding your teeth) can get mixed with blood-clotting cells forming a clump. These clumps of bacteria can irritate the walls of your blood vessels, and if they are located in your heart, they may increase the formation of heart-stopping blood clots.

Other research shows that the arteries of most stroke victims are infested with bacteria - some of which are dental bacteria. We also know that diabetics with gum disease are at greater risk of heart attack than those with health gums. Pregnant women with gum disease are seven to eight times more likely to give birth prematurely to low birth-weight babies.

Your general well being is always our concern. We can recommend good oral hygiene practises that will enhance your overall health and greatly reduce your chances of tooth and gum infections.