DECEMBER 6, 2011 GOOD PERIODONTAL HEALTH = GOOD HEART HEALTH

"FIND THE SPIRITUAL PATH IN THE CHOICES YOU MAKE TODAY."

We must always find the right path. Your path in life should include a spiritual path. Notice I did not say a 'religious path' I said a Spiritual Path. Let your spirituality and meditation guide you today to make the right choices in life. It is so important.

Periodontal health has been closely linked to vascular health in many studies. This is NOT a new concept. As early as 2001 in The Annals of Periodontal, Kuramitsu published a study on the Role of periodontal bacteria in cardiovascular disease. A new study in 2011 once again validated this point. Mice were given oral bacteria. Studies found that the oral bacteria affected the gene expression profile of these mice in the aorta and liver and was connected to imbalances of the lipid profile. Low term oral bacteria is associated with a low good cholesterol (HDL) and imbalances in the total and bad lipoproteins. I find it most interesting when I see a low HDL (good cholesterol). I always look at the triglyceride levels because high triglycerides means a low HDL (this could be metabolic syndrome known as Syndrome X). When I see a low HDL and a normal TG, I always ask about the patent's gum health and last dental cleaning. I also ask whether the patient flosses or uses a water pik.

There are other studies that have shown changes in arterial calcium distribution when these same mice were exposed to oral bacteria. I find this more interesting since I always view CT angiograms and calcium scores. When treating calcium with EDTA suppositories (read the book, The Calcium Bomb), I always add a bedtime oral antibiotic.

Studies show that 30% of those with poor periodontal health will develop cardiovascular disease.Retrospective studies reviewing the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that those patients with better periodontal health were more likely to have optimal coronary health.

Even the large meta analysis done for the last 18 years found that the ability to maintain optimal heart health was found to be higher in subjects whose gums were healthy.

It goes to reason that if oral health is related to cardiovascular health it must also affect the patients blood sugar. This makes sense to me as diabetes and obesity are the twin epidemic leading to this country's number #1 killer: Cardiovascular Disease.

Until tomorrow...