INDUSTRY INSIGHT
DENTAL CARE
SPONSORED CONTENT
Ask the Dentist
B
y now you have probably heard, read or seen
something about the importance of oral wellness. This
is due mainly to the medical community pointing to the
links between oral health and overall systemic health.
Periodontal disease or “Gum disease” is a chronic inflammatory
infection caused by hundreds of varieties of bacteria hiding
below the gum line. It is the most common infection in the
world. A recent study showed that 80% of adults over the age of
35 have some form of periodontal disease and don’t even know
it! Your mouth is a host for bacteria, which can be controlled with
good oral hygiene. But when you neglect your teeth and gums,
it’s not just your mouth that could suffer…
Recently, it has been recognized that oral infection, especially
periodontitis, is a direct causative link to a number of major
systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, bacterial
pneumonia, diabetes, and low birth weight in newborns. Your
teeth and gums have a direct pathway to your blood stream.
When the harmful bacteria present in gum disease travel
from the oral cavity to the blood stream, it causes systemic
inflammation all over the body.
Studies show that if you have gum disease in a moderate or
advanced stage, you’re at greater risk for heart disease than
someone with healthy gums. When these harmful oral bacteria
reach the heart, they can attach themselves to any damaged
area and cause inflammation. Other cardiovascular conditions
such as atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) and stroke have
also been linked to the inflammation caused by oral bacteria.
Periodontal disease is the most common dental disease affecting
those living with diabetes. A shocking number of diagnosed
diabetes patients have gum disease. Gum disease with diabetes
has a worsening effect on glycemic control. Infection causes
the release of stress hormones. This worsens insulin resistance,
causing a bigger rise in glucose levels and making its regulation
almost impossible. Thus impairing the body’s ability to use
glucose for energy. The potential for complications is a great risk
to your health.
The best method—and what I recommend to all of my
patients, for maintaining oral health is, like most everything,
to prevent problems before they occur. If you have gum or
any other oral disease, there is even more reason to visit a
professional. Regular visits to the dentist and dental hygienist
are a surefire way to avoid these potentially serious infections
as well as maintaining your smile. Catching the disease as early
as possible reduces your chances of risk, and many warning
signs of much more serious diseases have been detected in the
oral cavity from a regular cleaning appointment. At my office,
in addition to the intra and extra oral head and neck exam,
we also offer preliminary oral cancer screening with Velscope,
a handheld device that uses blue light spectrum to detect
unhealthy conditions in the mouth tissue that can’t be seen
with the naked eye. We also perform saliva tests if necessary,
which we view under phase contrast microscopes, allowing
us to pinpoint the bad bacteria and treat those, if needed. The
bottom line here is to take your oral health seriously. Your mouth
is connected to your body and needs to be taken care of. Your
dentist can help you maintain good oral hygiene, and eliminate
any harmful conditions that are not only a problem for your
teeth, but impact your overall health!
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This Industry Insight was written by Dr. Kevin Pawlowicz.
Dr. Kevin Pawlowicz is a second-generation dentist in
Western Pennsylvania who has spent the last 10 years
of his 25-plus year career developing his cutting-edge,
technology-driven practice. This, along with his full-service
CAD/CAM-based lab, allows him to bring unique insight to
his passion for teaching and dentistry. Dr. Pawlowicz is a
graduate of The Ohio State University with post-graduate
training at the institutes of Las Vegas, Dawson, Seattle and
Misch. He is a sustaining member of the American Academy
of Cosmetic Dentistry, accredited with the Academy of Laser
Dentistry, affiliated with the ADA and PDA, and a member of the ISCD and
ACCD. Dr. Pawlowicz lectures both nationally and internationally, and is
the author of numerous articles on dental materials and techniques. In
addition to lecturing, he aids in the development of new dental products
and technology and continues to be on the advisory board of many
companies.
2008-2018
FOX CHAPEL AREA
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FALL 2019
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