Heart Disease. Who knows if you are at risk? Several studies conducted by Cardiologists, and by Periodontists (gum disease specialists) now suggest that there are various connections between dental health and heart disease. If you have gum disease, false teeth, or rotting teeth you are have a higher risk of heart disease. These studies suggest that keeping your mouth healthy is one of the keys to having a healthy heart.

One of the most common was periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a large amount of bacteria that is in the mouth. Many studies reveal that people who need heart transplants, suffer heart attacks, or need heart surgery were more likely to have dental problems. You can’t get by with normal brushing and flossing because the gums can bleed and let the bacteria into the blood stream. This can cause bacteria to line up on the walls of your arteries, which leads to atherosclerosis and artery blockage. It can also cause bacterial endocarditis, which is a form of strep bacteria that causes vegetative matter to grow in the valves of your heart.

Dental health and heart disease have a large connection to each other. People who have had surgeries, especially surgeries that used artificial valves, conduits or stents absolutely need antibiotic treatment prior to receiving any type of dental treatment, even a teeth cleaning. Its very important to talk to your dentist about heart conditions or surgeries you’ve had.  Your cardiologist will know if you need what are called prophylactic antibiotics prior to seeing the dentist. This large single dose of antibiotics taken an hour prior to dental work does prevent the greater risk of developing bacterial endocarditis.

Prevention is the key. This means flossing regularly & getting two teeth cleanings a year. If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, you should check with your Dentist about antibiotic mouthwashes that can help remove bacteria from your mouth before flossing. In Orlando and Central Florida Dr. Zachary Hodgins at The Dentist Studio can help keep your heart healthy and prevent future health risks.

Last month we held a Teeth Whitening Day in our office to benefit The Women in Need Foundation (WIN). We offered professional home teeth whitening at a discounted fee to our patients and in return all of the proceeds went directly to WIN. WIN is directly involved in helping women that have been victims of domestic violence. The event was a huge success, as we raised over $1200 for the organization. Special thanks to Mrs. Georgia Kelly Pittman, and to all of our patients who helped.

My wife and I ran the Chicago Marathon on October 11th, 2009. The weather was perfect for running, around 33 degrees at the start. It sure was a nice change from the sweltering heat that we were training in here in central Florida.
34,000 runners started the race, and I must say that it was an amazing experience to share with everyone. It was my fourth marathon, and i’m planning on doing the Goofy race in January 2010. The race is held on Walt Disney World property here in Orlando,FL. It consists of running a half marathon (13.1 miles) on Saturday, and then a full marathon (26.2 miles) on Sunday. Hence the name Goofy, because you have to be a little goofy to run that far in 2 days! It should be fun, and i’ll keep you posted.