• Stroke: A new study of fatty deposits lodged in the carotid arteries of stroke sufferers shows that 70% contain bacteria,and 40% of that bacteria comes from the mouth.

• Heart Disease: Bacteria get mixed up with blood-clotting cells called platelets, forming a clump that travels through the blood vessel and may promote the formation of heart-stopping blood clots.

• Lungs: It has been shown that those with extensive tartar build-up and plaque on their teeth are at risk for chronic lung disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia.

• Diabetes: One study showed that diabetics with gum disease were three times more likely to have heart attacks than those without gum disease.

• Spontaneous Pre-Term Births: Women with gum disease are 7 to 8 times more likely to give birth prematurely to low-birth-weight babies. Researchers believe that a low-grade infection may be linked to pre-term birth.

Fosamax (Alendronate) is a type of drug known as biphosphonate and is used to treat osteoporosis in post menopausal women. Although these drugs are designed to strengthen bones, for some reasons not yet understood, they can have the opposite effect and weaken bones or cause a serious bone condition known as osteonecrosis of the jaw. The Food and Drug Administration and Novartis, the manufacturer of bisphosphonates, issued a warning to health care professionals on September 24, 2004. Symptoms of osteonecrosis of the jaw include loosening of teeth, severe infections and swelling. If you take any of these drugs, we strongly advise you to discuss this with your physician and dentist.

Fosamax® is a bisphosphonate medication used for bone loss. However, similar bisphosphonates have been implicated in the serious necrosis of the jaw and other bones, a condition known as "osteonecrosis."

In the U.S. Package Insert for both Aredia and Zometa, the following information on osteonecrosis had previously been added to the Adverse Reactions section under Post-Marketing Experience.

"Cases of osteonecrosis (primarily involving the jaws) have been reported in patients treated with bisphosphonates. The majority of the reported cases are in cancer patients attendant to a dental procedure. Osteonecrosis of the jaw has multiple well documented risk factors including a diagnosis of cancer, concomitant therapies (e.g., chemotherapy, radiotherapy, corticosteroids) and co-morbid conditions (e.g., anemia, coagulopathies, infection, pre-existing oral disease). Although causality cannot be determined, it is prudent to avoid dental surgery as recovery may be prolonged."

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Periodontal Disease affects more than just the gums!

Fosamax Health Warning

Long Island Cosmetic Dentists

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day and preferably after each meal with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Clean between your teeth by flossing at least once a day, as a tooth brush can not clean between your teeth.
• Eat a balanced diet to get the vitamins and minerals you need.
• See us regularly for professional cleanings and check-ups in order to prevent more serious problems.

The good news is that gum disease is easy to prevent by maintaining good basic oral health habits which are:

Gary L. Sandler, DDS & Bonnie E. Lipow, DDS

201 Moreland Road, Suite #8
Hauppauge, NY 11788
631-499-1800

Consumer Reports found that most toothpastes carry a prominent, but misleading claim - whitening teeth. The fine print reveals that most products whiten by removing stains, not by lightening the base color of the teeth. In their tests of 41 toothpastes, no correlation was found between these claims and stain-removing ability. Even those containing peroxide did no better at bleaching out stains than others.

Consumer Reports Evaluates Toothpastes (December 2006)

Click here for new Premedication Guidelines

April 2007