By: Debbie Seidel-Bittke, RDH, BS

December 11, 2023

When you think about overall health, high blood pressure, heart attack, Alzheimer’s disease, etc, many patients consider that gum disease is worlds apart from these other systemic diseases.

How many patients sit in your dental chair each day, week or month, and have underlying health conditions that may be associated with gum disease?

Dental hygienists do not “clean teeth”, we identify abnormalities and put a halt to the disease process.  Our professional goal should be to provide patients with optimal oral health. Dental hygienists have a perfect opportunity to empower patients with information that will positively impact their overall health.

Today, let’s explore the intricate relationship between high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease, etc, etc, which are associated with gum disease, while shedding light on the journey towards a longer-healthier life.

Connecting the Dots. Inflammatory Markers:

As we dive into this topic, let’s start with the basics. Gum disease, or periodontal disease, isn’t just a local issue affecting the teeth and gums, it’s a dynamic process involving inflammation that extends beyond the oral cavity. It will impact the entire body if there is no end to the inflammation.

Research has uncovered a strong link between gum disease and systemic conditions like high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, crohn’s disease, Parkinsons and even Alzheimer’s disease.

Inflammatory markers, substances that increase during inflammation, play a crucial role in systemic disease. When a patient has gum disease, these inflammatory markers enter the bloodstream through the mouth, triggering a cascade of reactions throughout the body. High blood pressure is only one of the systemic consequences, highlighting the importance of addressing oral health as an integral part of overall wellness.

Understanding the Domino Effect:

Imagine your body as a finely tuned instrument, with each note influencing the others. When gum disease enters the picture, it’s like a rogue element disrupting what once was a harmonious environment. 

Inflammatory markers contribute to the development of arterial plaque, narrowing blood vessels and making your heart work harder to pump blood. This increased strain can elevate your blood pressure, setting the stage for cardiovascular problems and other systemic issues. This is only one example of what happens with inflammatory markers invade our body.

Now, the question arises: How can addressing gum disease impact this domino effect and potentially improve your overall health?

The Empowering Journey: Treatment and Prevention:

Here’s the good news: As dental hygienists, and dental professionals, we have the power to interrupt this cascade of events. Treating gum disease involves a multi-faceted approach that not only revitalizes your oral health but also contributes to a healthier you.

1. Professional Dental Hygiene Appointments. Guided biofilm therapy, scaling, root planing, soft-tissue diode laser, etc:

The foundation for treatment of gum disease lies in removing the source of inflammation – the plaque and tartar/calculus buildup on the teeth. A professional hygienist delivered -preventive care appointment can target these inflammatory markers, providing a chance for the inflamed gingiva to heal.

2. Home Care:

Maintaining good oral hygiene at home is our superpower in the fight against gum disease. Brushing, flossing, and using an antiseptic (non-alcohol) mouthwash support the frontline defense against plaque, and bacteria, preventing its return between dental visits.

This superpower also requires routine preventive care by a dental hygienist.

3. Lifestyle Changes:

The overall health journey isn’t just confined to the dental chair. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle – incorporating a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management – complements the efforts we make in the dental office.

Dental hygienists must know the basics to support proper nutrition and supplementation with their patients.

Inspiring a Desire for Wellness:

Now that we’ve unraveled the connection between high blood pressure, various systemic diseases, gum disease, and outlined the path to recovery, let’s shift our focus to why we want to have our patients “want” what they need when there is an unhealthy oral condition such as gingival inflammation: gingivitis or periodontitis.

Consider this: by motivating our patients to take charge of their oral health, we are not just helping them prevent tooth loss or malodor but we are actively contributing to our patients overall well-being, reducing the risk of systemic diseases, and helping them to live a longer and healthier life.

The journey towards creating healthier patients (and populations around the world) is not just a necessity; it’s an opportunity for dental hygienists to empower their patients and level-up their patients’ self-care routine.

Conclusion:

In the chair of each dental hygienist lies a unique space where oral health and overall wellness intersect. Understanding the connection between high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, Crohn’s disease, Alzheimers, gum disease, and inflammatory markers equips patients with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about their total health. 

As we embark on this journey to empower our patients to make the best decisions, let’s remember that treating gum disease isn’t just about preserving our patients smile; it’s about safeguarding the heart, blood vessels, and our patients overall vitality. 

Let’s embrace the journey, let’s work together as a team of dental professionals to help conquer this disease process.

Let’s create healthier and happier patients. Dental hygienists no longer CLEAN teeth! We are in the business and profession of creating healthier, longer lives.

• Do you wish your entire team knew how to educate your patients about total health? 
• Do you wish your dental hygiene department was more profitable?
• Does your team know how to effectively communicate this message about optimal health and living a longer, healthier life?

If you want to level-up your hygiene department, book a quick hygiene department discovery call. Debbie will share with you where you have the “Low-Hanging” fruit– the easiest way to tap into more productivity. On the call Debbie will share the hygiene department training if you are interested in group hygiene department coaching.

The next cohort begins February 6 and ends May 5, 2024. If you join in December 2023, or January 2024, you begin 1:1 with Debbie and your team asap. The tuition will be the same as it is for the 3-month program. You receive a huge bonus when you raise your hand to be a part of this training now.

There will only be 10 offices accepted in this next cohort so don’t delay applying today!

BOOK YOUR HYGIENE CALL HERE.