Is there a link between tooth decay and cardiovascular disease?
Question:
HELP!
Answers:
The link is between the bacteria that cause gum disease,
(not tooth decay), and the theory is that if you have a weakened heart (due to Scarlet fever, a heart murmur,
or heart-valve replacement), that the bacteria in your mouth
can get into your bloodstream while getting your teeth cleaned or an injection, etc. and that the bacteria will then go
to the "weak" site and could cause a big problem (bacteremia.) So we premedicate those patients with
antibiotics before dental procedures as a precaution. Just
in case. But more recent research is showing that we
probably don't need to keep doing the premedication,
because it isn't really going to help if you're going to get a
bacteremia, you're going to get it if you take antibiotics or
not. But for now, in our office, we still have our patients take
their premeds, then ask their doctor or cardiologist if they
still need to take it. We don't make that decision for them.
No factual information, but they are linking poor oral health to other degenerative diseases. There was a study done on pregnant women, and those with poor dental hygiene were at greater risk for pre term labor.
i know that if you have very bad teeth and they get infected, if untreated, the infection can go into the blood stream and n e infection in your blood can attack your heart. hope this helps
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