By Marianne Lincoln
Today I am attending the Pierce County Oral Health Summit in Tacoma where Dr. Lee Ostler DDS gave the first presentation about the oral health systemic link. He said, “It’s about getting well and staying well because that’s the best way to deal with disease.” Detection is important, but it’s prevention that is the best way to treat disease. People and companies save money when they focus on staying healthy. Companies that have started wellness programs have been able to save significantly on their health care costs.
Dr. Ostler provided a link to an article in Business Finance by Joanne Sammer, dated September 12, 2012. “Although only 19% of the employers studied have analyzed the financial impact of their wellness programs, those that have are seeing healthcare costs decline by $1.00 to $3.00 for every dollar spent on wellness. Moreover, these employers are seeing improvements in higher employee morale, increased productivity and reduced instances of employee disability.”
He continued with a conversation about Porphyromonas gingivalis, an oral bacteria that can cause oral infection. Those oral infections, when left unchecked, can lead to cardiovascular diseases. A blood test called CRP (for C Reactive Protein) can determine if there is an infection that has spread in the body. He suggested that in cases of periodontal diseases in adults, this test be performed to help prevent a whole host of other systemic problems. He stated that dentists need to treat the endothelial lining of the arteries by getting rid of oral pathogens that are living in the body. In this age when the percentage of the population with diabetes has increased significantly, there is particular concern over their health issues due to the increased problems they have with infections.
What is going on in your mouth with oral disease, those bleeding gums are a first sign, can end up significantly affecting your internal health. Mouths are dirty, bleeding gums allow those dirty bacteria to get into the rest of your cardio vascular system. Dentists are now pointing out to physicians they need to work together on these cardiovascular symptoms. Dentists need to be part of the conversation and oral health needs to be considered by the physicians.
Pierce Prairie Post 
Hello thank you for knowledge on dental care, can you tell us the local dentis who takes out amalgum fillings, it is to my understanding one should do this for good health. Thank you A Clean
Most dentists will willingly replace amalgam fillings, the bigger matter is whether your dental insurance will cover it. This editor has been gradually replacing hers and they have been covered by insurance because the fillings are more than 30 years old and are in need of repair. The extra cost between alamgam and the other materials usually has to be borne by the patient.