The Link Between Perio Disease and Heart Disease and Diabetes

Did you know that your mouth is an overall indicator in the health of your body? Chances are, if you suffer from periodontal disease (which 1 in 3 adult Americans do), it could increase your risk for heart disease, diabetes and stroke. If you already have these conditions, perio disease could exacerbate the situation.

So how exactly do your gums connect to your heart? Periodontal disease occurs when there is a build up of bacteria in your gums, causing infection. That infection enters your blood stream, and circulates throughout your body. This can lead to a build of plaque in your arteries. Yup, plaque, that very same hard build up that hygienists scrape off of your teeth. Plaque builds up in your arteries, which restricts blood flow, which leads to heart attack and stroke.

Periodontal Disease also makes it more difficult for people with type 2 Diabetes to control their blood sugar levels. It is unclear precisely why diabetic patients are more likely to suffer from gum disease, but studies show that the presence of gum disease exacerbates diabetic complications.

Another fact about periodontal disease: once contracted, it cannot be cured. The best you can do after contracting periodontal disease is to keep it under control.

So, how do you use all of this information to optimize your health? You can start by having regular medical and dental check up. Home care, especially flossing, is essential to preventing gum disease from developing. Having your teeth cleaned at regular intervals determined by your hygienist is also crucial. For more information, or a complimentary periodontal evaluation, call our office at 727.733.1175.

25 Reasons Batman Keeps Dental Floss on His Utility Belt.

Our staff had some fun coming up all these reasons that Dental Floss is the preferred weapon of Superheroes. Given that Batman has a utility belt, he was our ideal choice.


1.Cutting Cheese Cake (unwaxed only)
2. Tie up Christmas ornaments in Wayne Manor.
3. Macrame
4. Tie string around finger to remember to change to alter ego.
5. Sew a button on the Bat Suit in a pinch
6. Tie plants to stakes
7. Replace broken shoe lace
8. Quick jewelry repair
9. Fishing line
10. Tie button hole closed in a pinch
11. Tie hair back
12. Use as an approximate measuring tape
13. Book mark
14. Tie it to a door knob for loose tooth removal
15. Use to draw straws with Robin over who drives the Batmobile.
16. Prison Break! Over time, dental floss can cut through steel. It can also be used to repel down a wall.
17. Weave together to make a small net to trap villains in.
18. For use in medical emergencies. It can be used to tie off arteries when all those “POWS” and “BAMS” get too much. It can also be used to tie off umbilical cords for unexpected civilian deliveries.
19. Repair umbrella (or Bat Cape). Use floss to tie fabric to the frame.
20. DIY clothes line.
21. Foil frays! Wrap dental floss around the ends of ropes and shoe laces to stop them from unraveling.
22. Floss other “utilities”. Making a braid out of floss allows you to clean crevices in tools.
23. Construct a crafty wind chime for Vicki Vale
24. Tie down broken bat mobile trunk. Ten loops through should do it.
25. Floss teeth and prevent gum disease!!!

Is Your Breath Stank?

Bad breath, its not just a medical condition, it can be a social issue as well. Consider this a PSA from a dentist who cares. There are many causes of bad breath, some rather mild, some more serious. How do you know what the cause is?

The object of this post is to briefly outline some dental issues that could be at the root of the problem.

You are what you eat! If you're eating onion and garlic, brushing may not be enough afterwards! What you eat is digested, and then absorbed into the bloodstream and then released in the lungs where it is then expelled. Brushing, flossing and mouth wash only camoflauge the stank, they can't remove it!

Mama wasn't kidding when she said brush your teeth! Do you know that particles of food remain in the mouth after you are done eating? If you're not brushing and flossing regularly, these particles are just sitting there rotting. You guessed it, they give off mouth odor. This problem can be corrected by brushing and flossing! This will not only improve mouth odor, but will help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Trust us, gum disease is a bad one.

Would you kiss an ash tray? Smoking causes bad breath. Duh.

Cotton Mouth, not just a snake! One of the leading causes of halitosis is dry mouth. Saliva rinses away bacteria and debris, so when there's no saliva, all of those germies stick around. Some reasons for dry mouth include salivary gland issues, use of certain medications and mouth breathing.

Briefly, there are some medical conditions such as diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver and kidney ailments, respitory infections, sinusitis and post nasal drip that can cause bad breath. If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy, you may need to contact your physician.

Brushing and flossing: definitely the keys to a beautiful smelling mouth. Mouthwash is a temporary fix, and offers no long term benefits. Remember to brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth as they are a good place for bacteria to gather. The healthier your mouth, the fresher your breath!

Dunedin Dental Office Talks About Periodontal Disease and Arestin

Periodontal Disease is a growing concern in the medical community. Clinically, one out of every three people have some form of periodontal disease. New research is showing systemic links between periodontal disease and heart disease, diabetes, pregnancy complications and other serious health issues.

Periodontal Disease is an active infection in the gums. Once this infection is contracted, there is no cure for it, the best a patient can hope to do is control it. Regular maintenance visits to your hygienist and a strict home care regiment have been the prescription... up until now.

Hopkins Aesthetic & Reconstructive Dentistry is pleased to announce the addition of Arestin to our practice. Arestin is an antibiotic that is placed directly into the infection site. It will stay in that site and fight the infection for up to 21 days. Arestin is clinically proven to reduce pocket depth in teeth affected by periodontal disease.

Many insurance companies will pay for this vital antibiotic. If you suffer from periodontal disease, call our office or visit our website for more information. 727.733.1175 or www.allaboutsmiles.org