Oral Health = Cardiac Health
The next time you brush and floss your teeth, think about this: you’re also helping your heart.
According to Dan Edmundowicz, MD, director of preventive cardiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and York oral and maxillofacial surgeon James Boyle, DDS, good oral health can help control gum disease which research has linked to heart disease.
“Bacteria is always present in your mouth, but the more bacteria in your system, the greater the likelihood of cardiac events,” says Dr. Edmundowicz, a member of both the Pennsylvania Medical Society and the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American College of Cardiology.
“Poor oral hygiene leads to infection and inflammation. The resulting bacteria can then travel through the bloodstream and contribute to more inflammation and even arterial obstruction,” he adds.
Dr. Boyle, a member of the Pennsylvania Dental Association, explains that while brushing your teeth removes plaque from tooth surfaces, it cannot entirely remove plaque that exists between teeth.
“Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line, where bacteria can thrive. Brush twice a day, floss before bed and have your teeth cleaned twice a year,” he says.
“Don’t underestimate the impact of oral health on your overall health. If you neglect your teeth, your risk of severe gum disease, heart disease and even diabetes increases. A little prevention goes a long way. All you need is a toothbrush and some floss to prevent more serious health problems down the road,” Dr. Boyle adds.
Feeling Pressured?
One of our recent Patient Polls showed that nearly 73 percent of Pennsylvania adults surveyed said they only have their blood pressure checked when they visit their doctor.
What’s worrisome is that hypertension (high blood pressure) can strike any person regardless of age, gender, or race without warning.
“What’s scary is that besides being relatively common and extremely dangerous if left untreated, you may not even know you have high blood pressure until you have it checked,” notes Philadelphia internist and Pennsylvania Medical Society member John Cacciamani, MD.
“Imagine pumping a ton of water out of your basement through a pinhole. Eventually, the pump gives up. High blood pressure needs to be detected and treated or else it can lead to stroke, heart disease, eye problems, or kidney failure,” he says.
Dr. Cacciamani, also a member of the Philadelphia County Medical Society, encourages all patients to have their blood pressure checked regularly, especially those who are at higher risk:
- Men over 45 and women over 55
- Post-menopausal women and those who take oral contraceptives
- One or both of your parents had high blood pressure
- African Americans
If your doctor diagnoses high blood pressure, he or she may recommend dietary changes and exercise, stress reduction, and possible medications.
“First of all, find out if you have it. And if you do, follow your doctor’s recommendations and just get it down. Even small reductions in blood pressure can have a big impact on your health,” adds Dr. Cacciamani.
Winter Blues or SAD?
We all know that life has its ups and downs and our moods change accordingly.
But Philadelphia psychiatrist and fellow Pennsylvania Medical Society member Ken Certa, MD, says that when mood fluctuations get stuck, or exaggerated, and especially when there are major alterations in sleep, appetite, or the ability to experience pleasure, it may indicate a seasonal affective (mood) disorder, (SAD).
“The amount of light exposure per day, especially at certain times of the day, can affect your mood. Certain people, especially those with personal or family history of depression or manic-depressive disorder, can feel these changes in a more extreme way, and can be nudged into a full blown episode of illness. Seasonal depression is different from standard major depression; people tend to eat and sleep more, whereas major depression generally causes decreased appetite and insomnia."
Though it’s more common in winter, seasonal depression can occur at any time in particular individuals, usually at the same time every year. Depression is the most common reaction, but some people can develop the opposite symptoms, becoming full of energy to the point of recklessness; this is mania, which is most common in the spring and fall.
Dr. Certa, also a member of the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society, suggests that minimizing wide shifts in daylight exposure can be helpful.
“In winter, make sure you get some sun exposure, especially in the morning when it appears to be most effective. If this isn’t practical, light boxes can work, though they need to be brighter than routine household or work light,” he says.
When depression (or less commonly, mania) begins to affect work or relationships, or if there are any thoughts that life isn't worth living, see your doctor. Antidepressant medications are highly effective, with minimal side effects, and can generally be time-limited to just a few months for seasonal affective disorder.