WHY THE HEART MATTERS:)
Happy “Tooth-Day”!
Farah Flossit here, hoping your smile spreads joy to others around you:)
Here at Casa Smiles we take matters of the heart very seriously. Even if your child no longer has a Murmur, just the fact he or she ever had a murmur or heart condition, it is imperative that we get clearance from the Cardiologist or Pediatrician. Often times, the patient just needs to be pre-medicated.
The reason for today’s discussion about this topic is because many times, parents do not quite understand why knowing this part of a patient’s medical history is so important when visiting the dentist. The American Heart Association & American Dental Association have concluded that most heart patients do not need to take antibiotics before dental treatments. This new guideline affects those with rheumatic heart disease, mitral valve disease, calcified aortic stenosis, & some congenital heart conditions. In the past, antibiotics were prescribed to guard against infective endocarditis– infection of the inner lining or valves of the heart. When a dentist is cleaning, flossing, or even working on a cavity or extraction, it is not uncommon for gums to bleed & if bacteria gets into the bloodstream, this type of infection can result in heart complications.
According to studies done at Harvard Medical School (Harvard Health Publications), people with periodontitis (erosion of tissue & bone that support the teeth), chewing & brushing release bacteria into the bloodstream. Several species of bacteria that cause periodontitis have been found in the atherosclerotic plaque in arteries in the heart & elsewhere. This plaque can lead to heart attack. Oral bacteria could also harm blood vessels or cause blood clots by releasing toxins that resemble proteins found in artery walls or the bloodstream. The immune system’s response to these toxins could harm vessel walls or make blood clot more easily. It is also possible that inflammation in the mouth may stimulate inflammations throughout the body, including arteries, where it can lead to heart attack & stroke.
In sum, if there is a history of heart murmur or heart conditions, it is very important to first mention it to your child’s dentist & then get medical clearance from your Primary Care Physician or your Cardiologist. As dental professionals, we ask this of parents to protect the health & well-being of your child. We are not in any way trying to give you one more item on your to-do list, we are always hopeful that your doctor confirms that you child only had an innocent heart murmur/condition, but I assure you that it is peace of mind to be safe rather than sorry. Many times when a clearance is provided, the doctor will still require the patient to take antibiotics before having any dental procedures. Medication will lower the risk that bacteria from the mouth will end up infecting the tissues of the heart, causing endocarditis.
The link between cardiovascular health & oral health is two-fold. If you have good oral habits from the start, brushing & flossing can prevent more serious health issues down the road, including heart disease. Overall, people who have chronic gum disease are at higher risk for a heart attack, according to The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Studies have shown that people with moderate or advanced gum disease are more likely to have heart disease than those with healthy gums. Oral health holds clues to overall health. Studies have shown that oral health can provide warning signs for other diseases or conditions, including heart disease.
Today’s discussion just reinforces the message that I am always driving home–Preventive Care & Good Oral Health is extremely important to keeping a healthy smile & good overall health!! Take your child/children to see their dentist every 6 months for their routine exam & cleaning & instill good oral habits from the start. ~HealthyMouth=Healthy Heart=Beautiful Smile~
Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!
I look forward to chatting with you all next week!
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Your Friend,
Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)
