I know of the link between: If you have heart disease (MVP being only one aspect) that you need to take especially good care of your mouth and be sure to get premedicated before orally invasive techniques.

I've read of the connection of how bacteria being forced into the blood stream through the mouth (usually dental procedures) potentially getting to the heart and lodging there. So the dentists concern isn't what happens to you in the chair it's what happens to you after you leave...

But are there any links about oral health itself LEADING to the development of heart problems (not the situations of dental work pushing bacteria into your blood stream). Other stuff. Just from either extensive dental work in the past. Poor oral health. Unresolved dental issues. Etc...?

Any thoughts?

My uncle recenty went through some severe heart trouble. Over a 3 month period he had developed a worsening case of tachycardia and heart palps.

He saw 3 different cardiologist, was placed on meds and they started discussing the option of doing an ablation because the meds didn't seem to be working very well.

Mean while, he had an abcessed tooth removed and within 2-3 days he was 100% symptom free. The doctors now believe it was the bacteria from the tooth that was the cause of all of his troble.

When I was admitted into the hospital with my IST one of the things they asked me was if I had had any recent oral surgery, painful teeth and they had a quick look at my teeth. Unfortuantly I have not been as lucky.

I think most dentists still use amalgam fillings. You can with luck find a dentist who uses composite, and sometimes you can request composite fillings, but most of the time, dentists get upset and irritated if you even suggest there's a link between amalgam fillings and health problems. They poo-poo it and say there is no proof, amalgam is perfectly safe, and that we have no reason to worry.

I've had several root canals done and I believe they use amalgam in the packing process, so now I've got loads of nasty stuff going on.

I already have loads of dental problems and have been trying desperately to avoid having dentures because I would not handle it well at all, I know.... and my physical health has been worse since my dental health has been worse.

Every dentist I have consulted with (6) in the past year has told me that my fears are foolish and unfounded, and that the only reason not to go with amalgam is purely aesthetic.

I have found one dentist who (all she does) is remove amalgam and replace it.

But I don't know what can be done now, if anything, with partially done root canals?

I am quite interested, and quite concerned about the correlation between my oral situation (which is getting worse, and beyond my financial capabilities to repair), and my overall physical health.

Well, well, well,...isn't this just peachy?