Clean gums = healthy heart

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Since Valentines Day is coming up I thought it would be appropriate to talk about the heart. Some of you are probably wondering what does the heart have to do with oral hygiene? Well I will tell you! Most of us know that heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. Did you also know that periodontal disease, (gum disease) is a risk factor in having a heart attack?

Gum disease is caused when bacteria infect your gum tissue surrounding and supporting your teeth. If this is not taken care of, it can cause your gums to swell, bleed, and eventually your teeth will become loose and you may need to have them extracted. Now your gums are filled with tiny blood vessels and when they swell, they stretch out the walls of these blood vessels, making it easier for bacteria to enter into your blood stream and into your heart.

However, there is some good news. Gum disease can be treated if caught early!  Be familiar with some of these signs. If you have any of the following, you might have early stages of gum disease.

• Gums that bleed when your brush
• Red, swollen, or tender gums
• Bad breath that doesn't go away
• Loose or separating teeth
• Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
• A change in the way your teeth fit when you bite together

So lets all take a little more care of our hearts this February by keeping our gums clean and healthy!

Dental what?

Do you remember the word "dental prophylaxis" that showed up a little bit ago? Well today we are going to get familiarized with the term. Most people like to refer this word as a "cleaning". However it means a lot more than just that. By definition, dental prophylaxis means the removal of plaque, material alba (a whitish deposit on the teeth), calculus, and stains by the hygienist as a preventative measure. Big emphasis on the preventative. Some of us think that "cleanings" are not as important and can be skipped. That however is not true. Take a car for example. You wouldn't buy a brand new car and then only change the oil every 25,000 miles. You would change it every 3,000 miles. Some people will skip preventative hygiene visits or only come in every 2-3 years. That's like never getting your oil changed. So please make sure to keep you "dental prophylaxis" a priority and come in every 6 months.