For years, we have suspected that certain periodontal disease bacteria can clog arteries and blood vessels. Arterial plaques have been discovered to contain bacteria from the oral cavity. Recently, researchers showed that one species of  gum disease bacteria,  P. gingivalis, has been shown to cause and accelerate formation of coronary and aortic atherosclerosis.  It is understood that coronary artery disease is an inflammatory disease. The gene that turns on an inflammatory protein was discovered after P. gingivalis was introduced to the arterial cells.   [ Read More ]

It may be old news by now that having an airway obstruction like sleep apnea is linked to cardiovascular disease (stroke, coronary artery disease, heart attack). But there are scores of studies that are linking sleep breathing disorders to diabetes, obesity, and now, cancer. Recent studies show a link between sleep-disordered breathing (including apnea) and the risk of colon cancer and breast cancer. The increasing body of evidence is irrefutable. Any level of sleep breathing difficulty changes our body chemistry and introduces significant medical risks. Even snoring.  That’s right—the thing that most every person does when they sleep. See us for an evaluation… [ Read More ]

Dr. Rafoth wrote the following summary of this article:  The American Journal of Cardiology and Journal of Periodontology Editors’ Consensus, Vincent E. Friedewald, et. al., 7/2009  The human organism is complex. Abnormalities of almost any of its parts or processes have profound effects on multiple other body areas, exemplified by the process of inflammation. In recent years, the immune system, once believed to be only a vital defense against infection and a promoter of healing—except in the instances of a few uncommon connective tissue disorders—is now recognized as a significant active participant in many chronic inflammatory diseases (ID), including hypertension, diabetes,… [ Read More ]

A patient recently asked me about an article they read which described the potential health risks of root canals. The article contends that root canals are the source of serious threats to your health. You can find the article here: http://humansarefree.com/2014/02/shocking-connection-97-of-all-terminal.html I would say that quackery is a sound description of the article. We’ll break down some of the high points of Mr. Mercola’s advice to the free world. But let’s go “big picture” for a minute. There are two goals in performing root canal therapy for patients. 1) eliminate the bacterial infection in a tooth in order to 2) maintain… [ Read More ]

We may feel minor discomfort from tooth infections, but they should be taken seriously. Remember Andy Hallet from the TV series “Angel”? This actor died five years ago from a tooth infection that led to cardiomyopathy. 33-year-old "Angel" actor dies of heart disease Posted by Mimi on March 31, 2009 at 7:49pm in Black, White & Red Eyed: In The Headlines LOS ANGELES (AP) -- An agent for 33-year-old singer and actor Andy Hallett says the former cast member from the vampire TV series "Angel" has died of congestive heart disease. Hallett's agent Pat Brady says Hallett died Sunday at… [ Read More ]

An entertaining but all-too-true message about heart disease for all women.   https://www.goredforwomen.org/about-heart-disease/symptoms_of_heart_disease_in_women/just-a-little-heart-attack/ [ Read More ]