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Poor Dental Health and Disease Progression

Your oral and physical health are intricately linked, with the former having a significant impact on the latter. When your dental health is poor, your body takes a hit too. Think of it this way—when there’s infection in your mouth, you’re constantly swallowing bacteria and introducing it into the rest of your body.

While the effects might not be immediate, it can begin to cause damage over time. In particular, poor oral health increases the risks of heart attacks and strokes. It can also make diabetes management and cancer treatment more complicated.

“Since Dr. Patel has been taking care of my dental health , I have noticed an overall improvement of my health. She helped me connect the dots between my dental health and all other diseases in the body. No other dentist I’ve been to has this kind depth and holistic approach. Her techniques are modern and safe. She is always educating herself to give her patients the best of everything. I love every visit!” – Vita, November 2024
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Did You Know?

According to Harvard Health, individuals with gingivitis have a heart attack and stroke risk that is 2 to 3 times higher than someone without gum disease.

Breaking It Down

Heart Attacks

Bacteria that cause inflammation in the gums can also cause inflammation in the delicate tissues of the cardiovascular system.

This happens when harmful oral bacteria enter the bloodstream, either through cuts in the gums or during regular oral activities like chewing or vigorous brushing.

Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria can cause more widespread inflammation, which can result in critical health conditions like:

  • Coronary artery disease—A condition where plaque builds up in the coronary arteries and restricts or blocks blood flow to the heart. Bacteria from gum disease can speed up the formation of this plaque, which increases the risk of chest pain and heart attacks.
  • Stroke—Bacterial inflammation can also contribute to the development of blood clots that could potentially travel to the brain and cause a stroke.
  • Endocarditis—This is a serious infection in the lining of the heart that can sometimes be caused or exacerbated by periodontal disease. Individuals with pre-existing heart problems or artificial heart valves are at an increased risk of endocarditis.

Good oral hygiene does more than protect your teeth—it also protects your heart, blood vessels, and brain.

Diabetes

The relationship between poor oral health and diabetes is a vicious cycle, where each condition exacerbates the other. This is because:

  • High blood sugar decreases circulation and lowers the production of white blood cells.
  • This makes it harder for the body to fight off infections, especially in the gums.
  • Increased glucose also creates an excess of sugar alcohols in the mouth, which provides food for multiplying oral bacteria.
  • Once the gums are infected, blood sugar becomes even more difficult to control and the loop gets harder to break.

People who are diagnosed with diabetes should pay special attention to their gum health and maintain regular visits to the dentist. Any tooth pain or discomfort should also be checked as soon as possible in case there is an abscess or infection underneath.

Cancer Therapy

Having cancer and undergoing chemotherapy is challenging enough without having to deal with oral health problems too. These patients should take special care of their mouth, since:

  • Chemotherapy targets and destroys rapidly growing cancer cells, but it also affects healthy cells in the body.
  • This results in a weakened immune system and can increase the risk of serious infections.
  • Radiation therapy, especially when the head and neck are being treated, can also contribute to a dry mouth bacteria love.
  • Mouth sores are a common but very painful side effect of chemotherapy. They are best managed by using a soft-bristled toothbrush, alcohol-free mouthwash, and avoiding acidic or spicy foods.

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Your Comfort Matters to Us

Our Union Square dentist in San Francisco ensures our office is a place where you can relax and put your health and wellness first, allowing yourself recovery and restoration. We provide a number of spa-like services to our patients in order to relieve discomfort and improve relaxation, such as:

  • Aromatherapy
  • Neck wraps and heated blankets
  • Healing with essential oils and crystals
  • Noise-cancelling headphones

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New Patient? We’ll Plant a Tree In Your Honor

We believe in “green dentistry with a green thumb.” Let’s work together to help improve the environment and fight climate change.

Every year, your tree will:

  • Produce 260 lbs of fresh oxygen
  • Remove 25+ lbs of carbon from the atmosphere
  • Provide shade and habitat for birds, squirrels, and other animals

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San Francisco, home of holistic cosmetic and restorative dentist Dr. Nammy Patel

The best holistic dental care in the San Francisco Bay Area!

We look forward to welcoming you and helping you on your journey to an amazing smile and life-long health!

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Dr. Nammy Patel and her team at Green Dentistry in Downtown San Francisco, California, provide quality dentistry with a holistic approach. They offer their patients exceptional care and service in cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign treatment, laser dentistry, sleep apnea treatment, general holistic dentistry and so much more. They even offer sedation dentistry to their patients. They serve patients throughout the Bay Area. SF Green Dentist is within walking distance from Downtown and the Financial District.

San Francisco dentist Dr Nammy Patel's dental affiliations