Regular Dental Checkups Can Stave Off Diseases

Patient Bob McCord is eager to keep his pearly whites, well, pearly white.

“Smiling is really something I do all the time, so you want to have a good, healthy smile,” he said.

The Bradley Beach resident doesn’t have dental phobia. he gets his teeth cleaned every three months at All in the Family Dental Care in Wall Township.

“You feel healthy! You feel like you’ve taken a shower after not being showered for a couple days!” McCord said.

The dental team works to keep bacteria levels in the mouth as low as possible.

“The bacteria in the mouth can get through a whole system in the body and it’s linked directly to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s,” Dr. Joseph Campi said. How does having inflamed gums affect your heart? He said, “The bacteria that’s there now, your gums are inflamed, that’s the beginning of gum disease, that’s gingivitis, swollen gums. And that can continue on to bone loss as the bacteria builds up there. So if it’s not taken care of that bacteria will travel though your system and possibly affect your heart.”

It all starts with plaque says Dr. Jack Campi.

“Plaque is a bacterial build-up, a film that gets onto teeth and it’s constantly forming. If it’s left undisturbed, not flossing, not brushing, it turns to calculus. Calculus is a calcified form of that plaque, and then the bacteria associated with that calculus activates enzymes that can deteriorate the bone level. So essentially it’s like termites of the mouth,” said Dr. Jack Campi.

All in the Family Dental Care recommends patients visit their dentist at least twice a year for a check up and cleaning. Depending on the person they may have to go more often. The dentists say at home care is critical: brush your teeth twice and day for two and a half minutes and floss, too.

Still, the dentists insist there’s no substitute for professional cleanings.

“These problems don’t get smaller by waiting,” Dr. Jack Campi. “They get bigger. They get more magnified.”

“Oral cancer is a big concern. Over 35,000 will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. And just like any cancer, early detection is key,” said Dr. Joseph Campi.

Which is why the dentist checks the soft tissue for lesions and neck for suspicious lumps during cleanings using a scope.

“The technology allows us to see below the tissue where we wouldn’t be able to see with the naked eye,” said Dr. Joseph Campi.

Pregnant women shouldn’t avoid the dentist, says Dr. Joe Campi, since hormonal changes could alter the health of the mouth. Certain medications can also have an averse effect.

“Medications could cause dry mouth, for instance. Saliva is our first step in digestion and battles that plaque,” said Dr. Joseph Campi.

Bob plans to keep battling plaque in the dental chair. He got a clean bill of health today, and is already scheduled for his next visit.

Source: http://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/regular-dental-checkups-can-stave-off-diseases/

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