Support Your Heart Health by Making Your Oral Health a Priority
February 27, 2012
Valentine’s Day is behind us and February is almost gone, but it’s never too late to talk about the connection between oral health and heart health. As studies have shown, the connection between the two isn’t negligible. Even though their relationship isn’t entirely clear to doctors yet, one clearly exists. And in large part, that connection is believed to involve gum disease, and the bacteria and plaque that cause it.
When left untreated, gum disease can lead to the formation of pockets in the soft tissue around the base of teeth. These pockets then make it possible for bacteria and plaque to find a way inside the bloodstream and, from there, to other parts of the body. When bacteria reaches the heart, the danger is that it might aggravate your arterial walls, eventually causing protective plaque to build up, blocking blood flow in the process and eventually triggering a heart attack.
If you’d like to find out more about the connection between your oral health and your general wellbeing, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Canzoneri’s Arcadia dental office. Dr. Canzoneri serves patients from all across the Los Angeles area and would be happy to answer any questions you might have. Give us a call today.
Ask The Expert…
February 21, 2012
Ask The Expert
Kenneth J. Canzoneri, D.D.S
Q: Is it true that oral cancer is very prevalent in men and how do I look for it?
A: Yes, it is true. Oral cancer has become the sixth leading cancer among men and is also increasing in young adults. The good news is that if found early enough the survival rate is very high. Your dentist or dental hygienist should do a yearly oral cancer exam. The FDA recently cleared the VELscope system, a breakthrough technology, to assist dental professionals in discovering cancerous and precancerous growths that may not be apparent to the naked eye.
The VELscope utilizes a safe, high energy, blue light with specialized filtering to evaluate the oral tissue for abnormal areas. It is completely free of any pain or discomfort.
Q: I am going to a friend’s wedding and want to bleach my teeth but I am worried that the bleaching material will damage my teeth. What should I do?
A: I am asked this question in my office at least 4 times a week. Teeth whitening when done correctly, is safe and it does not damage the surface of your teeth. Bleaching gels can cause some degree of tooth sensitivity but there are now desensitizing gels which can reduce the amount of sensitivity you may experience.
Q: I haven’t smiled in years due to my ugly teeth and I want to get veneers. I am nervous because some of my friend’s porcelain veneers look fake.
A: This is a complicated question which could take pages to explain. The simple answer is to find an experienced dentist and dental laboratory. In my opinion a high quality dental lab that can fabricate realistic veneers may be more important than the dentist. The best idea is to ask to see photos of patients that the doctor and the lab have completed. Websites with before and after photos may be a good source.
Q: I haven’t been to the dentist in a few years. I know that I have some old fillings and cavities but I am afraid that the dentist is going to drill my good teeth away.
A: I feel strongly that with the advances in, what dentists refer to as, adhesive dentistry, the preservation of tooth structure must be the goal of every dental professional. The advances in technology such as lasers, drills that are faster with less vibration, electric drills, digital x-rays, bonded fillings and porcelain have dramatically improved a dentist’s ability to take away the diseased portion of the tooth without harming the healthy tooth structure.