Waterbury dentist, Luciano Marini DMD, sees a connection between heart disease and gum health

Your oral health impacts your overall health. Gum disease, a leading cause of tooth loss, is linked to heart disease and stroke. Waterbury dentist, Dr. Luciano Marini, advocates diligent oral hygiene and periodontal therapy to keep gums and hearts healthy.

The health of your teeth and gums affects your overall health. The American Academy of Periodontology, a group of gum disease experts, states that people with advanced gum disease are twice as likely as people with good oral health to have coronary artery disease. When the blood vessels which feed the heart muscle become clogged with plaque, heart attack and stroke often result.

The why’s and how’s of  Waterbury gum disease and treatment

Dr. Luciano Marini and his associate dentist, Dr. Ann Marie Marcini, offer non-surgical  Waterbury periodontal therapy to patients who exhibit signs of gum disease or periodontitis:

• red, swollen gums
• bleeding when brushing
• bad breath
• gum and jawbone recession
• pus at the gum line

These symptoms result from accumulated biofilm, bacteria-filled plaque and tartar, on tooth surfaces, between teeth and in the gum line. Experience shows Waterbury dentist, Dr. Marini, that the bacteria in this biofilm eats away at tooth enamel and results in cavities. Also, the microbes infect gum tissue and lead to inflammation within oral tissues.

The interplay between the infectious bacteria and inflammation somehow accelerates the deleterious effect plaque has on the cardiovascular system. In fact, the carotid arteries in the neck and the arteries and valves of the heart (atheroschlerosis) seem particularly susceptible in people with periodontitis. Other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis are linked to advanced gum disease, as are:

• dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
• low birth weight babies
• pregnancy complications

Waterbury gum disease treatment works to remove plaque and tartar. Utilizing simple manual tooth scaling and root planing techniques, the team at Waterbury Smiles scrapes away plaque and hard tartar and also smoothes root surfaces. This simple procedure not only treats infection, it also helps re-attach gums to roots, reducing the size of periodontal pockets and restoring gums to a pink and healthy condition. Your Waterbury dentist may instill antibiotics at the gumline to speed healing and prevent further infection.

Follow through at home

Combat gum disease and keep your heart healthy with simple tooth brushing and flossing. The American Dental Association advises that kids, teens and adults brush their teeth twice a day for 2 minutes using a quality fluoride toothpaste. Flossing around all teeth once a day removes food residues and plaque from interdental spaces and the gums. Finally, keep semi-annual check-up and cleaning appointment with Doctors Marini and Marcini. They carefully check their patients for:

• cavities
• gum disease
• oral cancer
• bite and alignment issues
• condition of existing restorations such as crowns and fillings

Preventive dentistry spots signs of oral health problems before they impact teeth and gums and systemic health.

Make your regular appointment now

Don’t wait on keeping your teeth and gums healthy.  Contact Waterbury Smiles for your cleaning and exam appointment. Come prepared with questions you have concerning gum health. The team is happy to deliver the latest information for your healthy mouth and healthy you.