Dental health may be as important as mental health in affecting the rest of the body. Periodontal disease appears to provide a reservoir of inflammation and possibly infection that can greatly increase the risk of other conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes.
Some prescription drugs can have a deleterious effect on oral health. The osteoporosis drugs Actonel, Boniva and Fosamax, for example, have been linked to jaw bone death. And several anticonvulsant drugs have long been known to contribute to gum overgrowth. How can we manage such medicines for maximum health?
Guest: Susan Karabin, DDS, is board certified by the American Board of Periodontology. She is also past president of the New York Academy of Dentistry as well as the Northeastern Society of Periodontists, and the immediate past president of the American Academy of Periodontology. The Web site is perio.org
