Dr. Anne A. Nicholas

Takehisa Iwai, MD, PhD, of the Tsukuba Vascular Center in Japan, published in the Journal of Periodontal Research Volume 44, Issue 6, Pages 689 – 694, 23 Oct 2009, important information related to Periodontal disease and it’s relationship to vascular disease.

Dr Iwai findings determined that “weak oral bacteria, such as periodontal bacteria, have been found in various vascular lesions, including atheroma, the thrombus of the occluded artery of Buerger’s disease, the abdominal aortic aneurismal wall and varicose veins. Serum titer levels of each bacterium are now available and have shown a significant relationship between severity and individual differences.”

His findings suggest that oral bacteria is related to vascular diseases and care should be taken to avoid oral bacteria from entering the month. He states, “it is estimated that lymph vessel openings trap bacteria en route from the mouth to the bloodstream and then carry them to the vein of the venous angle near the supraclavicular area. In the case of periodontal bacteria, a typical bacterium, such as Porphyromonasgingivalis, strongly activates platelets and makes them mass, including the bacteria without phagocytosis. Simultaneously, cytokines and serotonin are discharged. Platelet engulfment was clearly demonstrated by electron microscopy analysis. An animal study using rats showed the formation of a small arterial thrombus after continuous intravenous infusion of P. gingivalis for 2–4 wk.”

In conclusion his study determined that “weak oral bacteria, such as periodontal bacteria, may play an important role in the development of various vascular diseases, such as Buerger’s disease, atherosclerosis and varicose veins, through bacteremia.”

Dr. Anne A. Nicholas completed a post doctoral program in Periodontics & Dental Implants at Loma Linda University in 1992. Her practice, “The Palm Desert Center for Advanced Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry” is located at: 73-929 Larrea Street, Suite 2, Palm Desert, CA. Please feel free to stop by or call 760-340-1030 to schedule an exam. Dr. Nicholas offices provide dental services to Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, and the entire Coachella Valley.

According to Sally Cram, D.D.S., a consumer advisor for the American Dental Association and a periodontist who has a dental practice in Washington, D.C. recently suggested it does. She mentions that in a recent study showing that treating periodontal disease in diabetics with Type 2 diabetes may lower their blood sugar levels. She also mentioned that unfortunately for now, there was not enough available evidence to support the same benefit for those with Type 1 diabetes.

She references a leading author at the Edinburgh Dental Institute in Scotland, Terry Simpson, who gave a recent explanation of the connection between Type 2 diabetes and periodontal disease. He states, “Treatment can reduce the amount of bacteria and inflamed tissue in the gums. The presence of bacteria and inflamed tissue is thought to produce chemical changes which affect the action of insulin and in turn raises the circulating levels of sugar in the blood stream. By resolving this with periodontal treatment, the patient might experience a lower blood sugar level over a period of time.”

Are you a diabetic with blood glucose control issues? If you are, then a dental check-up with a periodontist like Dr. Anne A. Nicholas from “The Palm Desert Center for Advanced Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry” may be over due.

The Palm Desert Center for Advanced Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry is located at: 73-929 Larrea Street, Suite 2, Palm Desert, CA. Please feel free to stop by or call 760-340-1030 to schedule an exam. Dr. Nicholas offices provide dental services to Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, and the entire Coachella Valley.

Last year in the New York Times I recall an interesting article talking about the difference between implants and bridges.  This article is a non-dental publication that gives an endorsement for implants as the new standard of care for missing teeth and its benefits for patients considering this option.  Entitled “A Dental Shift: Implants Instead of Bridges,” this author provides some important in-site for patients who are considering the choice between implants or bridges.

In the article it points out; implants won’t decay, are easy to clean and floss between, don’t need to be replaced, or be attached to other teeth.  This author makes the point that over the long run, implants are the best choice and delivers the highest value.

This is Dr. Anne A. Nicholas of “The Palm Desert Center for Advanced Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry” and I recommend that all my patients considering the choice between implants or bridges read this article.  Please click the link high lighted above to access this article.

“The Palm Desert Center for Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry is located at 73929 Larrea Street, Suite 2, Palm Desert, California and provides dental services for Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, and the entire Coachella Valley.  Please call 760.340.1030 for information or to request an appointment.