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- Oral Health Protection, Not just a “Routine
Cleaning”
Kathy Shierling, RN, MS, CNAA, BC
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- As a woman, you know that your health needs are
unique. You also know that at specific times in your life, you need
to take extra care of yourself. These times include puberty,
menopause, and when you have hormonal fluctuations such as pregnancy
and menstruation. These times affect many tissues in your body
including your gum tissue.
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- The Journal of Periodontology
reports that at least 23% of women aged 30-54 have disease which
attacks the periodontal (oral) tissue. And, alarmingly 44% of women
between the ages of 55-90 who still have their teeth have chronic
inflammation of their gums and oral tissue.
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- Peridontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss
in adults.
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- Much like heart disease in women, gum disease is
a silent disease which many do not discover until it is in an
advanced state.
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- A growing body of research attributes gum disease
with a wide array of health problems. Gum disease is very much like
a chronic infection in any part of the body. Bacteria from the mouth
can flood into the blood stream causing widespread infection. Recent
studies have shown an increased risk of heart disease and stroke in
people with gum infections according to the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. If you have a valve problem in your heart,
the bacteria from your mouth can invade and infect the heart.
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- There is also a link between diabetes and
periodontal (gum) infections. The CDC is now researching whether
there’s a two-way connection between the conditions to see if
diabetes can be better controlled through treatment of gum disease.
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- Blood infections from gum disease can cause joint
replacements to fail and women with moderate to serious gum disease
are twice as likely to give birth to premature babies--problems
ranging from low birth-weight to birth defects.
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- The best treatment is prevention by following
some rather simple life style changes.
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- Regular brushing and flossing is the first line
of defense. Next is a diet that avoids sugary snacks and sodas. Even with diet soda you have acid in your mouth
that can attack the teeth and gums.
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- Parents should take care not to share drinks with
their children if they are known to have gum disease. Even a simple
act like blowing on food to cool it can pass along the oral bacteria
from adult to child.
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- People should drink fluorinated water and use
fluoride tooth paste---something to consider in these days of
bottled water that is not fluorinated.
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- Tobacco use is also to be avoided---smokers have
7 times the risk of developing gum disease than non-smokers.
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- Finally visit your dentist regularly. Your
“routine cleaning” can provide a way to detect oral problems early
and prevent damage to your smile----maybe even save your life!
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Kathy Shierling, RN, MS, CNAA,BC
- Shierling
and Associates Healthcare Consulting
- Dr. Gary Shierling, DDS
- Family Dentistry
• How to Stay Healthy and Keep Your Unique Smile • Oral Health Protection •
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