Newsletter 6 March 2006

In the next two editions we will look at the dilemma that besets the dental profession. Is it poor oral hygiene or poor nutrition that causes gum and heart disease? There is no doubt that good hygiene is an advantage but is it the whole picture? Have we gone far enough with our treatment or should we also look at nutritional support? Let’s look at the bug theory….

The stated purpose of periodontal therapy is to assist in keeping the existing teeth in the mouth in a fully functioning and maintainable order, in a symptom free, pain free environment by elminating the pathogenic microflora under the gums. These bugs are responsible for localised infection and inflammation which eventually leads to the destruction of the tissues supporting the teeth.

Treatment includes brushing, flossing, scaling by the dentist and administration of a local target specific antibiotic. One of the tetracycline family, Doxycycline hyclate can be flowed through a target specific cannula into the periodontal pocket says Professor David Hoexter D.M.D. The slow release antibiotic functions to fight periodontitis more conservatively, more comfortably and more accurately. But do you want antibiotics?

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, people with deep periodontal pockets have an increased risk for electrocardiographic abnormalities. In a study carried out in Japan, it was found that severe periodontal disease with loss of attachment of the periodontal ligament had a significant risk for ECG abnormalities.

Many studies have shown that people suffering from different forms of heart disease are deficient in CoQ10 and improve with CoQ10 supplements. Also that people with chronic gum disease tend to have low CoQ10 levels and improve with CoQ10. CoQ10 is effective in treating aging, allergies, asthma, candidiasis, cardiovascular disease, deafness, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, impaired immunity multiple sclerosis, obesity, gum disease, respiratory disease.

While there is no research so far to show exactly how heart disease and gum disease are related, it has been hypothesised that periodontal bugs (pathogens) could enter the blood stream, invade the blood vessel walls and ultimately cause atherosclerosis. Alternatively the theory is that there is an increased plasma level of inflammation causing arterial problems. Whatever the cause it would appear that treatment should be mandatory for all of us to ensure that we reduce the risk factor of heart disease from dental problems.

Research has shown that plaque and calculus recolonisation takes about three months, so it makes sense to visit your dentist every three months if you are at risk.

Treat your gum disease or dental distress, call now for details and an assessment appointment:

UK: +44 1634 843 929
Austria: +43 316 251 799
Email: info@authodentist.com

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