The WomenHeart Discussion Group hosted Dr. Daniel Wolter of Millennium Dental Arts for a seminar about the connection between oral health and cardiac health. The event took place on March 16, 2016, and it was the second time that Dr. Wolter presented to the group.
Over the last decade or so it has become increasingly clear that oral health and systemic health are intricately linked. Poor oral health can contribute to—-or actually cause—-many serious conditions throughout the body such as pneumonia, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, arthritis and certain cancers.
In addition thousands of scientific studies have shown a significant correlation between poor oral health and increased risk of heart attack and stroke, two of the leading killers in the U.S.
Dr. Wolter’s talk focused primarily on the associations between oral health and cardiac health, while touching on other serious health issues like stroke, hypertension and atherosclerosis. He made his points through a well-balanced mix of scientific findings, clinical cases and personal observations.
He began by explaining the fundamentals of oral health, in particular the hallmarks of healthy gums, tooth roots and supporting bone structure. Then he explained the causes and problems associated with gum disease (what dentists call periodontitis). After that he explained the connection between poor oral health and poor cardiac health before ending with practical tips and techniques to avoid gum disease, how to treat it if already present and how to maximize your chances of keeping your heart healthy through ideal oral health. Which is less than ideal for American citizens that have no private health insurance plan, as dental for adults isn’t covered in most primary standard plans.
Gum disease is caused by dental plaque, the sticky, yellowish film that coats teeth if not cleaned properly each day. Keeping on top of your oral hygiene is important, as it does prevent issues like gum disease from happening. Plus, it is best to be safe than sorry especially when it comes to your health. Knowing that dentists like Stephen W. Durham, DMD, MAGD has a lot of services to offer patients that could help them improve their oral hygiene and even get them the smile they have always wanted, there shouldn’t be any excuses as to why you can’t visit the dentist for regular checkups!
Dental plaque is comprised primarily of oral bacteria that have organized themselves into what’s known as a “biofilm.” This process occurs astonishingly fast. Over time, the biofilm becomes more and more organized and harder to remove. This is why it’s so important to see a dentist and dental hygienist regularly, even if you have excellent oral care at home.
Because oral biofilm is tenacious, the chronic, destructive condition of periodontitis affects up to 80% of baby boomers. In certain senior populations, the prevalence is around 90%. This is true despite all the public education, excellent oral hygiene tools for home use and improved access to dental care which our generation enjoys.
If left untreated, gum disease leads to swollen gums, bad breath, loose teeth and a high risk for tooth loss. However, even in the late stages of this devastating condition, there is usually no pain. This is one of the reasons that so few people seek early treatment.
In addition to being the number one cause for tooth loss in the United States, the bacteria which cause gum disease continually enter the bloodstream through infected gums which bleed easily, even during routine tasks like eating, flossing or tooth brushing.
Once in the bloodstream these bacteria can travel to distant sites throughout the body, settle there and cause serious damage. In addition to destruction from the bacteria themselves, the body responds with high levels of inflammation which further damage tissues and cause all kinds of systemic illnesses.
Specifically with regard to heart disease, having poor oral health more than doubles your risk of a fatal heart attack or stroke. It also makes it much more likely that you will have a heart attack or stroke at a younger age. If that’s not enough to motivate you to brush and floss better and to see your dentist at least twice a year, consider this: the average life expectancy of a person with poor oral health is about six years shorter than someone who has healthy teeth and gums.
Turnout for the event was higher than expected with many questions coming from the audience. In fact, the discussion lasted nearly an hour longer than planned due to so much interest and questions from the attendees.
Dr. Wolter has been a longtime provider of dental care to well over 1,400 PebbleCreek residents. He has supported several local groups and charities and presented educational events to PebbleCreek clubs in the past. His practice is focused exclusively on serving baby boomers and seniors with their unique oral health care needs. He is an expert at many dental and oral health issues and is available for seminars or discussions. He can be reached at 623-536-6789 or [email protected].
WomenHeart is an education and support group for women with, or at risk for, heart disease. It is run by PebbleCreek’s own Nanci Rinehart who has been its coordinator since 2013 and president for the past two years. If you’d like information about this group, its mission or membership, please contact Nanci at 720-272-1757 or email her at [email protected].