Whether you know it or not, your mouth and heart are linked. Your heart – an organ about the size of a fist – pumps blood through your body. Your mouth – made up of numerous components, including your teeth – shares the bloodstream with your heart. Therefore, your oral hygiene could directly affect your heart health.
Can my Oral Health Affect my Heart?
Our mouths are loaded with bacteria—some good, and some harmful. Without proper oral hygiene, the harmful types of bacteria can cause cavities, gingivitis, and periodontal (gum) disease. Gum disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gum tissue and bone supporting the teeth. If left untreated, harmful bacteria in the mouth could enter your bloodstream through inflamed gums and cause additional issues—such as heart disease.
Numerous studies have linked poor oral health to heart disease. Although expects can’t yet agree if there is a direct connection between gum disease and heart disease, there are several indications they may be linked due to the inflammatory properties of both diseases. In fact, those with gum disease are almost 50 percent more likely to have a heart attack, according to the American Heart Association.
Am I at Risk for Heart Disease?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. About 1 in every 4 Americans die from heart disease each year. Knowing these facts along with the risks can help you identify if you’re at risk for heart disease.
Key risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. There are also several medical conditions and lifestyle choices that can put you at risk, including:
Diabetes
Overweight and obesity
Unhealthy diet
Physical inactivity
Excessive alcohol use
While scientific evidence hasn’t yet proven a cause-effect relationship between oral health and heart disease, researchers have uncovered oral bacteria within the fatty deposits of people with atherosclerosis – a disease in which plaque builds up in the arteries. Left untreated, the deposits have the potential to narrow arteries or break loose and clog them – causing a heart attack or stroke.
What are the Symptoms and Warning Signs of Gum Disease?
According to the American Academy of Periodontology, over half of American adults suffer from gum disease. Research has shown that gum disease is associated with other chronic inflammatory diseases—such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, it’s important to know the symptoms and warning signs.
Red, swollen, or tender gums
Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or eating hard food
Receding gums
Loose or separating teeth
Persistent bad breath
Pus between gums and teeth
Sores in your mouth
How Do I Protect Against Gum Disease?
Although more than 80 percent of American adults have some form of gum disease, it is preventable. It’s important to have a good oral hygiene routine. Adding these habits to your routine can really make a difference.
Brush your teeth and tongue twice a day
Floss at least once a day
Swish with mouthwash
See your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning
Minimize sugary beverages
Eat a well-balanced diet
Make the Connection Last
While they might not be directly connected, your heart and mouth rely on each other a great deal. Both your heart and mouth love when you practice good oral hygiene and eliminate risk factors. Removing harmful bacteria from your mouth ensures it won’t slip into your bloodstream and affect your heart. In addition, show your mouth and heart some extra love by reducing risk factors – quit smoking, increase intake of fruits and veggies, control your blood pressure, and eat low-sugar foods and drinks.
It’s important to stay up to date with your dental exams to ensure your oral health is in tip-top shape. If it’s been a while since you visited the dentist or you’re experiencing any of the symptoms or warning signs discussed in this article contact Roseman Dental to schedule a dental exam.
If you have experienced a toothache before you would know that it can be one of the worst types of pain you could have. Sometimes it can be a sharp pain that interrupts sleep, other times it can be a dull, persistent pain. Below are some of the main reasons you might be experiencing a toothache.
5 Causes of Toothaches
1. A cavity- essentially a hole in your tooth
The outer layer of a tooth is a hard layer called enamel, the inner layer is dentin which is softer. Underneath dentin are the nerve and blood vessels. If the outer layer gets broken down by bacteria feeding on tooth structure, bacteria can leak into the insides of the tooth and cause a toothache. This is when a cavity occurs. As the cavity approaches the nerve, it can make teeth become very sensitive to hot or cold and cause pain. If not treated early on by doing a filling, a cavity can get larger and a root canal or extraction might be needed. This is why going to the dentist routinely is important to prevent extensive decay.
2. Bite
If you received a filling and it gave you pain afterwards, you may have been biting high on the filling and placing pressure on the one tooth instead of evenly distributing it over all the teeth. If your teeth are shifting, this can also cause tooth-related pain. To fix this, the bite would need to be adjusted.
Bruxism is a condition of unconsciously grinding or clenching teeth during the night or in the day. This can lead to pain in the jaw along with headaches and other problems if severe.
3. Sore gums
Food items can sometimes get dislodged under gums especially when eating hard food items. This can be quite painful and it can cause gums to swell up. Having gaps between teeth can cause food to be easily trapped, requiring frequent flossing to avoid discomfort due to trapped food. Having contact between teeth or having teeth that are touching neighboring teeth is necessary.
At times, people can develop severe periodontal disease. A deep cleaning is necessary to ease the pain and rule out periodontal disease as the source of the pain.
4. Cracked teeth
A cracked tooth can be another source of pain. It can be on an older filling and crack lines might be where the filling is on natural tooth. If the crack is small, it can be removed and a filling can be done to fix it but if it is large, a larger filling might be needed or the tooth may need to be extracted.
5. Wisdom teeth
You have probably heard of someone having a toothache from their wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth sometimes come out straight and feel like the other molars, causing no pain or discomfort. Other times they are hidden under the gums and can be coming out sideways, impacting the tooth next to it. This can cause a lot of problems in the future. Wisdom teeth can even cause jaw pain on either or both sides and might require the dentist to provide a referral to an oral surgeon to remove wisdom teeth.
A toothache could be an underlying issue of something severe. An oral exam or deep cleaning could be the key to relieving your pain and discomfort from a toothache. If you’re experiencing discomfort, contact Roseman Dental to schedule an appointment.
Tanisha Khurana DMD Candidate Class of 2023
Roseman University College of Dental Medicine
ASDA Chapter Fundraising Chair
Pediatric Club Outreach Coordinator
Welcome to the first issue of Roseman Dental’s Dental 360° monthly e-newsletter. Each month you’ll receive a panoramic view of dental health. Dental health is key to your overall health and here at Roseman Dental, we are dedicated to improving not only your mouth, but your whole self. At our clinic we have an excellent team of licensed dentists, dental residents and students, and dental assistants and hygienists all focused on you and your family’s oral health. We are a one stop shop for all your dental needs and offer dental care at a cost typically lower than what you would find at a traditional dental office. Roseman Dental has been serving its community since 2011 and we look forward to continuing to serve you and your family.
This month is National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM), a month-long national health observance started by the American Dental Association (ADA) that is dedicated to promoting the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers and many others. This year’s NCDHM theme is “Water, Nature’s Drink” because this year marks 75 years of water fluoridation.
Water Fluoridation
Water Fluoridation is the addition of fluoride to drinking water to increase the natural fluoride level up to the recommended level that helps prevent cavities. Almost 75 percent of the U.S. population is served by fluoridated community water systems as of 2012. According to the ADA, more than 70 years of research has consistently shown that an optimal level of fluoride in community water is safe and effective and it prevents tooth decay by at least 25% in both children and adults. Fluoride fights cavities by assisting in rebuilding (remineralizing) weakened tooth enamel and reverses early signs of tooth decay. Did you know that tooth decay remains one of the most common diseases in children? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) more than 25% of 2- to 5-year-olds have one or more cavities, half of kids 12- to 15-years old have one or more cavities and tooth decay affects two thirds of 16- to 19-year-olds. If you and your family drink tap water, bottled water with fluoride or use fluoride toothpaste, you are helping to prevent cavities. That’s simple to do, right?
There is some controversy over water fluoridation, but the ADA, the United States Public Health Service (USPHS), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the World Health Organization (WHO), among many other national and international organizations, endorse community water fluoridation. In addition, the CDC recognized fluoridation of water as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century.
Too Much Fluoride?
Fluoride is safe and effective when used properly and in the correct doses. It is possible to get too much fluoride; however, typically children are the ones effected when they are exposed to excessive fluoride for an extended period when they are young. This is called dental fluorosis. Because water fluoridation is monitored in the United States, children can get dental fluorosis when they swallow too much fluoride toothpaste. To prevent this from happening, make sure to watch your children when they brush their teeth to ensure that they are spitting the toothpaste out instead of swallowing it.
As we make our way through February, work on teaching your kids the importance of having good oral health. This month’s issue of Dental 360° has articles that can assist you with making oral health fun for your family. If you’re looking for some fun activities centered around NCDHM, download the ADA’s set of activity sheets below.
If you are struggling to make ends meet, don’t sacrifice your oral health. Roseman Dental is offering a $250 Dental Care Voucher through the end of March for new and existing patients. Learn more about it here.
We hope you find Dental 360° helpful and informative. We look forward to connecting with you monthly.
Roseman Dental is pleased to offer new and existing patients a voucher for dental care. The voucher can be used towards the cost of a comprehensive or periodic exam and necessary radiographs up to $119.00, and an additional $100.00 for needed dental care, for a total value up to $229.
The offer has been extended from Monday, February 7, 2022, through Monday, March 31, 2022. At Roseman Dental, your health is our #1 priority.
Oral health is central to your overall health. Oral health includes your teeth, mouth and surrounding craniofacial structures (skull & face). Having good oral health assists in improving your ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow, and make facial expressions to show feelings and emotions.
To keep up on your oral health you should be
Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste
Drinking water with fluoride
Flossing daily
Eating a balanced diet
Limiting sweet snacks between meals
Staying away from sugary foods and drinks and try not to sip or eat on them all day. If you want a sugary food or drink, have one at mealtimes.
Visiting your dentist regularly
If good oral health is not maintained, you are at risk of things such as cavities and periodontal disease, both of which can impact your overall health.
Barriers to Good Oral Health
Limited access to and availability of dental services
Lack of awareness of the need for care
Cost
Fear of the dentist/dental procedures
With the voucher*, Roseman Dental hopes to eliminate the cost barrier for you and your family. Let’s make 2022 a year dedicated to our oral and overall health.
Often times, parents wonder when they should start taking their child to the dentist. It is in fact sooner than you may think! You cannot be too early to start your child with their oral hygiene care routine. The American Association of Pediatric Dentists recommends that parents establish a dental home for their child by the time the first tooth erupts or by their first birthday. The dentist can examine your child’s teeth and ensure there are no concerns early on.
Why are Baby Teeth Important if They’re Just Going to Fall Out?
Indeed, the baby teeth or primary teeth are going to be lost. Parents ask, “So then why is it so important to take my 1 year old to the dentist?” Baby teeth are so important because they are replaced by permanent teeth. This is why it is crucial to maintain the health of the baby teeth so they are able to save space for the teeth replacing them. Poor oral hygiene such as not brushing or not using fluoridated toothpaste sufficiently can lead to decay in teeth which can potentially give rise to infections or even spread to new adult teeth which are erupting just below.
A common oral health risk for infants is the baby bottle. When your child consumes sugary liquid, the bacteria in their mouth start to flourish and cause decay which can break down their teeth. To avoid this, as a safer option you may give them a bottle of water before they sleep or you may use a wet washcloth to wipe their gums and teeth if they must absolutely have milk at night.
Oral Health Tips You Need to Know
We recommend the following tips to ensure that your child is on their way to a healthy mouth and healthy life:
Visit the dentist routinely at least every 6 months
Use about a grain size of fluoridated toothpaste for baby teeth as teeth start to erupt. For kids ages 2-6, you can use a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste and ensure that they are not swallowing it
Lay your child down facing away from you with their head between your legs and begin flossing as early as their teeth begin to touch
Use a damp washcloth to wipe teeth and gums after any food or drink for infants
Avoid an excess of sugary drinks or snacks between meals because this can increase the chances of cavities forming
Keep them hydrated – water not only helps to rinse away sugars that can cause cavities, but also provides a natural source of fluoride for their teeth!
Tiny teeth are just as important as big teeth. Contact Roseman Dental today if your little one is in need of a dentist.
Tanisha Khurana DMD Candidate Class of 2023
Roseman University College of Dental Medicine
ASDA Chapter Fundraising Chair
Pediatric Club Outreach Coordinator
Good habits are easiest taught at a young age. Oral health plays an intricate part in your child’s overall health, so of all habits to start young, good oral health habits should be at the top of the list. Poor oral health causes kids to miss over 51 million hours of class each year. February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and Gum Disease Awareness Month, so it’s a perfect opportunity to start teaching your children about the importance of good oral health. Good oral health is also critical in building positive self-image and confidence within children. We understand that trying to teach your child any habit can be difficult, but if you make oral health fun it can make creating those habits a lot easier. Here are some helpful tips to help start oral health habits with your children.
Toothbrush & Toothpaste
It’s important to let your children help choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste. When you’re at the store or ordering online let them pick the toothbrush that is their favorite color or the one that has their favorite Disney character. Also let them pick a toothpaste that is their favorite flavor. If they pick their toothbrush and toothpaste, they are more likely to want to brush their teeth every morning and night
Family Time
Make oral health habits a family affair, brush and floss your teeth together. Kids are known to copy what their parents do, so if you have a positive attitude about oral health and brush and floss your teeth with proper technique, your children are likely to mimic you.
Books
There are a lot of good books out there that teach about oral health and the dentist. Stories designed for children are great for teaching them how to take care of their teeth and for making oral health something that they can relate to. Here are few good ones that are fun to read with your children before bedtime.
When it’s time for your children to brush their teeth, you can start a sand timer or regular timer or even better, play their favorite song that runs for two minutes. Playing their favorite song or one they really like helps keep them focused on the song, not the two minutes that they need to be brushing their teeth.
Videos
There are a lot of good YouTube videos out there that you can watch with your children that teach about oral health. Here is a fun video by the Native American ToothFairy.
Post Dental Visit
After your children visit the dentist, it’s okay to reward them for their hard work and for their good oral health. It’s important to note that it’s not good to reward them with sugary food that can damage their teeth. Instead offer your children something healthy or a toy. Or even better, take them to do a fun activity. Maybe visit their favorite park or watch their favorite movie when you get home.
Don’t Give Up
It’s important to keep practicing oral health habits with your children even though it can be a challenge. If you can get your children excited about daily dental hygiene, they will be able to create a habit that will stay with them as they get older. We know the topic of oral health isn’t that intriguing to children, but you can make it fun so that they don’t dread brushing and flossing their teeth or visiting the dentist.
Roseman Dental is here to help keep the tiny teeth in your family in tip-top shape. Contact us today to schedule your child’s semi-annual exam.
James M. Broadbent, DDS, MS Associate Professor of Dental Medicine
Dr. James M. Broadbent joined Roseman University of Health Sciences in 2009 (the first year of orthodontic residency training) as a full-time faculty member in the Advanced Education in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics/MBA (AEODO/MBA) Residency Program. At Roseman, he is course director of several modules of learning. He serves on University faculty senate and several committees. His professional and research interests include phase I orthopedic growth modification, functional jaw orthopedics, accelerated orthodontics, facial esthetics, and air way and temporomandibular joint disorders.
Dr. Broadbent graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Zoology. Dr. Broadbent received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago. He completed a dental specialties internship at the Chandler Medical Center, University of Kentucky. He then served as an Assistant Professor of Crown and Bridge at Northwestern University Dental School and practiced general dentistry prior to dental specialty training. Dr Broadbent received his Master of Science (MS) degree and Certificate in Orthodontics from Northwestern University.
Dr. Broadbent practiced orthodontics many years in Provo, Utah, and served as adjunct faculty at Utah Technical College (now Utah Valley University), American Institute of Medical Dental Technology, and Provo College. Dr. Broadbent made a significant contribution to the art and science of orthodontics in teaching numerous continuing education courses, seminars, and presentations at local, state, and national and international dental meetings, and university graduate training programs. Along the way, he was awarded the Joseph E. Johnson Outstanding Table Clinic, American Association of Orthodontists, and twice the (AAFO) J. Robert Bronson Clinician of the Year award.
Dr. Broadbent completed board certification in orthodontics, achieving the status of Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics. His interest and training in temporomandibular joint disorders and oral facial pain lead to achieving status of Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management.
Dr. Broadbent has published many articles in several professional journals. He served as president of the Provo District Dental Society, Utah Dental Association annual program, and president of the Utah Association of Orthodontists.
Dr. Broadbent demonstrates vision and leadership in community organizations and service. He is recognized as a Kentucky Colonel, Commonwealth of Kentucky; member President’s Club, Brigham Young University; Boy Scouts of America distinguished Silver Beaver; and James E. West Fellow. For more than 20 years he served the Boy Scouts of America; Utah National Parks Council (one of the largest National BSA Councils), as Council Jamboree Chairman; National Boy Scout Jamboree, A.P. Hill Virginia (1985, 1989, 1993); and Chair of highly successful Council Events (1996, 2000) and as Utah National Parks Council Commissioner (1987-2000) and UNPC Vice President Program (2000-2003). He earned the distinguished Eagle Scout and Silver Explorer awards.
Dr. Broadbent is a member of the American Dental Association, Utah Dental Association, American Association of Orthodontists, Rocky Mountain Society of Orthodontists, Utah Association of Orthodontists, American Association for Functional Orthodontics, International Association for Orthodontics, and the American Dental Educators Association.
Before joining Roseman University of Health Sciences, he served as attending dentist and adjunct faculty instructor of several courses of education at Salt Lake Community College, Dental Hygiene Program (South Jordan Utah Campus).
Dr. Broadbent is licensed to practice dentistry in California, Nevada, and Utah.
Personal activities include fly fishing, off-road rock crawling motor sports, over landing motor sports, and white water river running.
Prashanti Bollu, MBA, MS, DMD Program Director, Associate Professor of Dental Medicine, AEODO/MBA Program
Dr. Prashanti Bollu received dental school training from Boston University School of Dental Medicine. She holds a Master’s degree in Health Care Administration as well as a Master’s in Business Administration. Part of the inaugural class, Dr. Bollu received her orthodontic training from the Roseman University of Health Sciences.
Dr. Bollu has received several awards for outstanding academic achievements during her undergraduate and graduate training. Her interest in research was sparked early in dental school and strengthened further during her employment at Boston University during which time she worked with many prominent researchers. She has been involved in several research projects and presented multiple posters at national conferences. Dr. Bollu has been recognized by DENTSPLY and Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, for outstanding research.
Besides serving as a clinical and teaching faculty, Dr. Bollu was actively involved in growing the research component of the Advanced Education in Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics (AEODO) /MBA Residency Program. As Director of Dental Research for College of Dental Medicine (Henderson Campus), she facilitated all resident and faculty research endeavors. Her research interests include Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), practice management issues, orthodontic insurance coverage gaps and access to orthodontic care.
Currently, Dr. Prashanti Bollu serves as the Interim Program Director for the AEODO/MBA residency program. She also practices in a few private orthodontic offices in the Las Vegas area. Dr. Bollu is a Board Certified Orthodontist and has active professional affiliations with multiple national and regional dental/orthodontic associations including American Association of Orthodontics, Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, and Southern Nevada Dental Society. She has also been a member of the International Association of Dental Research as well as the American Association of Dental Research.
