Anyone who is concerned about heart disease must read this! Check out more information on Dr. Holm's website at www.myburnsvilledentist.com.
Recent Research Reveals Devastating Link Between Gum Disease and Heart Disease & Diabetes! We all know that things like high blood pressure and cholesterol put us at risk. But, 1/3 of heart attacks happen to people who don’t have these problems! According to a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine, “Although the traditional risk factor concept has been well established, it does not fully account for the risk of cardiovascular disease.” There had to be something more… Life Threatening Inflammation Researchers have been working to answer that question and Inflammation—particularly inflammation of the gums---appears to be the key: A study in the Journal of Periodontology notes “90% of patients with cardiovascular disease suffered from moderate to severe periodontitis (gum disease)…” More Significant than Cholesterol What makes gum disease so dangerous? Researchers highlight 2 ways it contributes to heart attack and stroke: • Bacteria hiding under your gums can spill into your bloodstream invading the walls of blood vessels causing hardening of the arteries. They have even been able to isolate the specific bacteria species found in the gum disease pockets in the lining of the diseased blood vessels of the heart! • The gum infection often causes and increase in the blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and other markers of inflammation, that have far- reaching effects throughout the blood vessels increasing the risk of both heart attack and stroke. In fact, C-reactive protein has been shown t be so dangerous that, according to an article in The New England Journal of Medicine, “the C-reactive protein level is a stronger predictor of cardiovascular events that the LDL cholesterol level.” “Researchers have found that people with periodontal (gum) disease are almost TWICE as likely to suffer coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease.” (Perio.Org, the website of the American Academy of Periodontology) Over a thousand studies since 2005 have shown that diabetes worsens gum disease, and that gum disease, in turn, wreaks havoc with blood sugar control. Physicians and patients alike are unaware of the silent enemy to diabetes and prediabetes—hidden gum disease! A Silent Menace As scary as all this is, even more frightening is that 75-80% of Americans have gum inflammation—and most don’t even know it. Long before Gums begin to bleed and hurt …long before teeth start to loosen, bacteria under the gums are building up and infection is spreading. But most people have no idea they are in danger—unless they receive a thorough gum evaluation. Improve Your Odds Unfortunately, not every dental office is committed to checking every patient in this detailed way. Insurance statistics show that the number of codes for the treatment of gum disease has stayed the same since 1980- only 2.5 % of all treatment done in dental offices is related to gum disease! With 75-80% of patients in diseased state, a LOT of Gum Disease is being missed! WHY? Many of today’s dental hygienists feel that they “don’t have time” to do a detailed gum check AND clean your teeth! Most would rather just give you a quick flossing lecture, or simply want to avoid giving you the “bad news,” preferring to simply make small-talk during your appointment. Often, the dentist is focused only on the teeth, and ignores the gum health entirely. As a result, bleeding gums are the norm in most offices, and the cycle of advancing gum disease and deteriorating overall health continues. In too many dental offices, you may feel that you are treated like a number, seeing a different person every time you come in, with no one really looking out for you… Add to this the fact that Insurance Companies have found ways to incentivize doing “the least amount possible” for the short-term, knowing that, by the time you later fall part in the long run; you will be off their plan! Limited insurance reimbursement emphasizes short-term solutions for patients, a rushed, high- volume environment in dental offices, and profits in the moment for the insurance company-regardless of what is best for you in the long-run! No wonder gum health gets overlooked! Wouldn’t it Be Great to Know for Certain that YOU are Being Taken CARE of? In our office we exceed the standard of care by doing a Full Periodontal Evaluation of Gum Health and Bone levels at every check-up, for every patient. We offer State-of-the-Art Technologies to identify and Treat Gum Disease at its Earliest stages, Non-Surgically, when it is Easier, more Comfortable, and far Less Expensive to treat! When more advanced disease occurs, we will partner with periodontists (gum specialists) personally selected by Dr Holm to provide more specialized care, when needed. You r personal hygienist in our office will oversee and monitor every detail of your gum health in our office---your gums will not be an afterthought in your total health care! You will feel cared for and coached by your personal hygienist—not lectured! We are all about those important details, your TOTAL health, and making sure that you get the attention needed to be proactive in avoiding a stroke or heart-attack, along with keeping your teeth for a lifetime! Dr Nancy Holm 14000 Nicollet Ave. S Ste. 302 Burnsville, MN 55337 952-435-3335 www.MyBurnsvilleDentist.com