Drs. Esposito, Shivji & Drance
Downtown Dental Clinic
1328 Alberni St 604-669-1111
MAX Dental Clinic (Yaletown)
90 Smithe St 604-609-2020
"Thanks, I was able to compete with confidence thanks to my beautiful, winning smile!"Jane Gingera -- Miss Universe Vancouver
Are you afraid of the dentist? Many people are very apprehensive about having dental treatment. Our dentists recognize this fact, and offer a pill that alleviates anxiety, which is taken before your appointment. Many patients find that they are sufficiently relaxed to fall asleep during their treatment.
Want a smile makeover with no drilling and no anesthetic?See our results with Denmat Cerinate Lumineers
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Gum Disease and Heart Attacks—Is There a Connection?
There is growing evidence that the presence of periodontal (gum) disease can be linked to the incidence of coronary heart disease.
Gums infected with periodontal disease are toxic reservoirs of disease-causing bacteria. The bacteria hide in pockets next to the teeth, where the gums have pulled away from the tooth surface. When gums are this infected, they frequently bleed.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis recently discovered that bleeding gums common in severe gum disease provide an open doorway for plaque bacteria to enter the bloodstream. This bacteria, Streptococcus sanguis, can cause blood clots that block arteries and trigger heart attacks.
"Severe periodontitis is the equivalent of about nine square inches of chronic wound around the teeth," said Dr. Mark Herzberg, director of the study. "It offers considerable opportunity over time for these bacteria to enter the blood."
More heartache from gum disease
Other studies have shown that plaque bacteria entering the bloodstream through infected gums might also cause a potentially fatal heart disease called infective endocarditis. This is a bacterial infection that causes the sac around the heart to become inflamed. Herzberg has shown that the S. sanguis plaque bacteria is one of the most frequent causes of endocarditis.
More than just speculation
In a study of 400 older men, researchers in Michigan found that those with severe gum disease were four and one-half times more likely to have coronary heart disease than those without gum disease.
The lesson to be learned? Brush, floss, and see your dentist regularly. Because we now know that good oral health can prevent more than just gum disease.
Sources: Dr. Walter Loesche, "The Link Between Systemic Conditions and Diseases and Oral Health," University of Michigan.
Dr. Eugene J. Whitaker, Temple University School of Dentistry.
The Academy of General Dentistry
The American Academy of Periodontology
The American Dental Association
American Academy of Neurology - 51st Annual Meeting in Toronto, Canada, April, 1999.
Teeth Whitening (Bleaching)...Teeth can often be whitened by the several new techniques of "bleaching" available today. The most common method used is the "in-office" method where a strong bleaching agent is placed over the isolated teeth and a special light is used to assist the bleaching material lighten the teeth.
Extreme Makeover VancouverYou don't have to travel to Hollywood for that Extreme Makeover. Those life changing new smiles are available right here in Vancouver. Visit our before and after galleries to see for yourself - more...
Voted "Best Dentist" Westender and Georgia Straight three years in a row.
Selected as the Vancouver dentist for Cirque du Soleil.
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