Tooth decay...Why end up with heart valve replacement surgery?

Hello, my friends, as a nurse who cares for patients with critical heart disease, would like to tell a story about a disease that starts with something that many of us overlook, like "tooth decay," and can destroy the heart valve "to the point of requiring major surgery. This is endocarditis of Infective Endocarditis (IE), or simply infectious heart valve.

The main cause of IE is that bacteria (or other pathogens) enter the bloodstream and attach to the heart valve or heart wall, especially in patients with already high-risk heart conditions.

The most common groups of causes are:

1.Staphylococcus aureus: is the most common cause today. It often enters the body through skin ulcers, the use of medical devices inserted into the body such as vascular catheters, or the use of unclean syringes. 💉

2.Streptococcus viridans group: This is a group directly related to tooth decay. 🦷 This group lives in the oral cavity. When there is severe tooth decay, gingivitis (periodontal), or dentition, then bleeding. These infections can easily emanate into the bloodstream.

3. Infections from the gastrointestinal tract or urinary tract. Although the main cause is not only tooth decay, it is something that we can prevent on our own. And from work experience, will often encounter this cause and regret not starting to take care of ourselves.

Today I want to bring about the different stages of the body when tooth decay is not common.

Stage 1: "Oral" alarm (beginning of germs)

"A troubled oral cavity is like a house where a door is broken. Thieves can easily enter."

To observe yourself:

Toothache. Hole teeth: This is a large open wound in the mouth.

Gums swelling red, bleeding easily (when brushing or suddenly leaving): shows gingivitis, ulcers, allowing pathogens to penetrate the bloodstream at any time.

There is pus at the gum or root tip: this is a fine germ site.

Abnormally heavy tingling / chewing and then sore: signs of deep tooth decay near the neural cavity

Stage 1 guidance:

"If you have these symptoms, don't tolerate it. Don't leave it alone! This is the first stage where we can stop the pathogen. Hurry to the dentist to cure it before it leaves."

Stage 2: Warning signs that the pathogen has "entered the bloodstream."

"Once the pathogen has slipped into the bloodstream, the body begins to fight, and it becomes like we are sick, but chronic, and the cause cannot be found."

To observe yourself:

Low fever, fresh fever, not high fever, but constantly swarming, chills without obvious cause, abnormal fatigue, not hard work, anorexia, weight loss.

Muscle and joint aches

Stage 2 guidance:

"Many people think it's just the flu or little rest, but if you have these symptoms in combination with untreated oral problems, this is a red flag to be sure of! Go to the doctor, and most importantly, inform the doctor that you have a tooth or gum problem so that the doctor can find the right cause."

Stage 3: Alarm that the pathogen has reached the "heart" (infectious heart valve)

: "When the pathogen reaches the heart, it eats and destroys the heart valve, causing the heart valve to leak or rupture quickly, so the heart works harder until the heart attack follows."

To observe yourself:

Easy to get tired, panting, from walking up the overpass comfortably to taking a break.

I can't lie down. I have to sleep with a high pillow or sleep because I'm not breathing well.

Palpitations, arrhythmia.

Swollen legs, pressed and dented, may bleed on the skin, conjunctiva or under the nails.

Stage 3 guidance:

"If you come to this stage, it's a medical emergency! These symptoms say that your heart is deteriorating rapidly. You need to get to the hospital as soon as possible. Treatment may not end only as a disinfectant, but it may require 'heart valve replacement surgery' to save your life."

"See how much damage a single tooth decay can travel and do. The best protection is to cut the power from the top of the wind."

Oral check every six months, even without symptoms.

Hurry and heal when there's an oral problem.

Brush your teeth and floss. Make it a habit.

For those who already have heart valve disease, the dentist must be informed every time before taking a tooth to receive antibiotics against infection.

"Take good care of our doors. Good oral health is like having a strong first bastion, preventing a lot of other diseases."

# Alarm# Healthy with lemon8 # Tooth decay# Surgery# Health