The office of your dentist could give you a serious infection, warns CDC: Here's how to prevent it

A danger to health could hide in your dentist's office.


Everyone knows that good oral hygiene is essential for fresh breathing and sparkling smile, but recent studies have shown At what point Regular brushing and dental silk are. Do not practice daily oral hygiene habits can lead to poor heart health and Even cognitive decline - And yet, according to the centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 26% of Americans have Untreated dental caries And 46% of adults over 20 have signs of gum disease.

Regular cleaning and dental assessments are an essential element in maintaining good dental hygiene, but recently, an eruption of serious infections resulting from dental visits has prompted Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for issue an opinion on health That you will want to know before your next trip to the dentist's office. Read the rest to discover the only urgent question you need to ask your dentist before setting up in the chair.

Read this then: Never do this after brushing your teeth, warns dentists .

Oral problems can have an impact on your general well-being.

Dentist examining patient.
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The Mayo clinic explains that problems in your mouth can have serious effects On the rest of your body. "Like the other areas of the body, your mouth is full of bacteria - mainly harmless," explains the site. "But your mouth is the entry point of your digestive and respiratory paths, and some of these bacteria can cause a disease."

Periodontitis is not the only condition caused by oral bacteria and the inflammation it causes, she warns. "Your oral health could contribute to Various diseases and conditions , "According to the site, which notes that it is endocarditis (a hearing impaired cardiac problem ), cardiovascular disease and pneumonia, which occurs when bacteria enter your lungs.

Good hygiene habits begin early.

Dentist talking to child in dentist chair.
Zigic / Istock Drazen

The importance of good oral hygiene begins in childhood, even before the teeth appear. "It is important to take care of your child's teeth and (oral) dental health," advises the New York State Department of Health. "Practice healthy habits Can prevent or reduce dental caries (cavities) in infants and children. "" AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

Dental caries is one of the most common Chronic childhood illnesses in the United States, the CDC explains. "Untreated cavities can cause pain and infections that can cause problems to eat, speak, play and learn," said the site, stressing that ramifications of poor oral health are large wingspan. "Children who have poor oral health often lack more schools and receive notes below those of children who do not."

Ask your dentist this important question before an exam.

Doctor checking patient's jaw.
Bymuratdeniz / Istock

In October 2022, the CDC issued A health notice About contaminated water pipes in dentists' offices in the United States, "multiple epidemics of non-tuberculous mycobacteria infections took place in children who have received pulpotomies in pediatric dental clinics where water treatment dental contained high levels of bacteria, "they wrote.

This infection can also affect adults. Here is what to monitor, according to the CDC: "The signs and symptoms of a postoperative dental infection could include a localized oral abscess, fever or pain and swelling in the mouth or neck."

The best way to protect yourself from this serious infection is to chat with your dentist. "Talk to your dental provider of their practices of prevention and control of infections and stages of their staff to ensure sure treatment for all patients", advises the CDC, explaining that they "[provide] directives on control Infections in dental environment that contain recommendations to treat the water lines in the dental unit and monitor water quality. "

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Dental infections can be extremely dangerous.

Patient resting on hospital bed having heart rate checked.
Gorodekoff / Istock

By asking your dentist on their water pipes - are they regularly checked and cleaned? What is done to prevent infection? - is necessary after many people have been sick.

The CDC describes the water lines of the dental unit such as "narrow percussion plastic tubes which transport water to the high -speed handpiece, the air / water syringe and the ultrasonic scale" . These dental units can be subject to bacteria due to their "low diameter tube and low flow rates used in dentistry and frequent stagnation periods", they explain. "Consequently, a high number of Hydraulic bacteria Can be found in unrealized dental water systems. "Potential diseases caused by this bacteria include Legionella, pseudomonas aeruginosa and non -tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), warns the CDC.

Michele Neuburger , DDS and a dental in the CDC oral health division, said to Drugs.com that NTM infections after dental procedures can be extremely serious . "These infections can be Antibiotic treatment resistant and are difficult to treat. "Neuburger says that surgical procedures were necessary to treat all cases of NTM infections after dental treatment." These infections can be persistent, worsen over time and not respond to initial treatments such as incision and drainage and routine antibiotics. ""


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