What Should Be Considered When Treating Patients with Heart Disease?
Scientific studies show that oral and dental health is linked to cardiovascular disease. Gum inflammation, tooth loss and other oral diseases may contribute to coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis and other heart conditions. Special care is therefore needed in the dental treatment of patients with heart disease. For patients with congenital heart disease, artificial heart valves or a history of acute rheumatic fever, preventive antibiotic treatment before treating decayed teeth and inflamed gums is important, because bacteria living in the mouth can cause endocarditis, an inflammation of the layer lining the inside of the heart and blood vessels, during dental treatment.
Oral and dental health is also important for digestion. Teeth lost because of delayed or neglected treatment mean that food reaches the stomach without being properly chewed. The stomach has to work harder to digest it, which can lead to indigestion and to stomach problems such as gastritis and ulcers. Missing teeth also put uneven pressure on the jaw joints during chewing, which over time can cause jaw joint pain, ringing in the ears, and pain spreading to the head, neck, shoulders and back.