Heart disease and oral health: role of oral bacteria in heart plaque

The notion that problems in the mouth cause diseases elsewhere in the body makes sense but has been difficult to prove, explains the Harvard Heart Letter. Scientists are exploring several mechanisms that may connect the two processes. In people with periodontitis (erosion of tissue and bone that support the teeth), chewing and toothbrushing release bacteria into the bloodstream. Several species of bacteria that cause periodontitis have been found in the atherosclerotic plaque in arteries in the heart and elsewhere. This plaque can lead to heart attack. (Click here for the rest of the article.)

From the Mayo Clinic…

Oral health: A window to your overall health

Your oral health is more important than you may realize. Get the facts about how the health of your mouth, teeth and gums may affect your general health.

What conditions may be linked to oral health?

Your oral health may affect, be affected by or contribute to various diseases and conditions, including:

• Endocarditis.
• Cardiovascular disease.
• Pregnancy and birth.
• Diabetes.
• HIV/AIDS.
• Osteoporosis.
• Alzheimer’s disease.
• Other conditions. Other conditions that may be linked to oral health include Sjogren’s syndrome — an immune system disorder — and eating disorders.

For more information from Mayo Clinic, visit this article here.

Be sure to tell your dentist if you’re taking any medications or have had any changes in your overall health — especially if you’ve had any recent illnesses or you have a chronic condition.

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For dental health questions, more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Stevens Dentistry – Livonia Family Dentists at 734-367-0200.

$97 – Teeth Whitening Special

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For dental health questions, more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Stevens Dentistry – Livonia Family Dentists at 734-367-0200.

To get clean healthy teeth, consider these quick and easy brushing basics from the American Dental Association:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day. When you brush, don’t rush. Take enough time to do a thorough job.
• Use the proper equipment. Use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Consider using an electric or battery-operated toothbrush, especially if you have arthritis or other problems that make it difficult to brush effectively.
• Practice good technique. Hold your toothbrush at a slight angle against your teeth and brush with short back-and-forth motions. Remember to brush the inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth, as well as your tongue. Avoid vigorous or harsh scrubbing, which can irritate your gums.
• Know when to replace your toothbrush. Invest in a new toothbrush or a replacement head for your electric toothbrush every three to four months — or sooner if the bristles become frayed.

Visit the Mayo Clinic website for more Livonia Dental daily oral health tips.

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For dental health questions, more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Stevens Dentistry – Livonia Family Dentists at 734-367-0200.

Helpful information about how you may notice an increase in bad breath with your new weight loss program.
Bad Breath and Low Carbs
MSN Health/WebMD
Low-carb diets may be good for your waistline, but you might not be able to say the same for your breath.
Low-carb lifestyle junkies are more likely to suffer from a seldom discussed side effect of such diets — halitosis, aka bad breath. And since more than 25 million people say they have tried the Atkins diet (not to mention other low-carb eating plans), according to the National Marketing Institute, bad breath may be an epidemic!
Bad breath in the low/no-carb sect is often caused by certain chemicals that are released in the breath as the body burns fat. They are called ketones, and entering into a fat-burning state of ketosis is the hallmark of the Atkins diet. So the good news is that if your breath stinks, you’re probably doing a good job of sticking to that low-carb diet.
“Carbohydrates aren’t readily available, so you start to use other fats and proteins as your source of energy, and as a result you are going to get a breath problem,” explains Kenneth Burrell, DDS, the senior director of the council on scientific affairs of the American Dental Association.