CPS, LLC

How are your teeth and your heart related?

🦷 Research shows that conditions such as tooth decay and gum disease are associated with heart disease. In fact, people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from heart disease as people without dental problems.

🦠 The reasons for this connection aren’t completely clear, but several theories are possible. Oral health issues such as gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth abscesses are all caused by bacteria in the mouth.

🦠 One theory is that this bacteria can enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. The bacteria can then cause infections in other parts of the body, and eventually travel to the heart, where it can damage tissue and even lead to a heart attack.

🧫 When bacteria from other parts of the body attach themselves to tissues in the heart, it can also cause a life-threatening inflammatory condition called endocarditis. If left untreated, endocarditis can damage or destroy heart valves. People with damaged or artificial heart valves are especially at risk.

🩸Bacteria present in dental plaque have also been found to cause blood clots, which can damage arteries and affect heart health. Sometimes a blood clot can prove to be fatal, as it is released into the bloodstream and can result in a heart attack.

🫀 Oral bacteria are also associated with atherosclerosis, a condition that causes the build-up of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in the artery walls, known as arterial plaque. Arterial plaque restricts blood flow, and ruptured plaques can trigger a blood clot, which in turn can cause a heart attack or stroke.

🩺 Another connection between dental health and heart health is that conditions such as gum disease and heart disease are related to inflammation. Inflammatory dental conditions may be a signal that inflammation is present in other parts of the body. Diagnosing and treating these dental conditions in their early stages may help the immune system inflammation in other parts of the body more effectively.

🪥 When you pick up your toothbrush and brush your teeth remember your heart depends on your complete and timely oral care.

CPS, LLC CPS specializes in perfusion, autotransfusion, intraoperative monitoring and respiratory care while providing clients with consulting, inventory management, and equipment.

Protecting your eyes in the Summer!! 😎

Sunlight reflecting off sand, water, or even snow further increases exposure to UV radiation and increases your risk of developing eye problems. Certain sunglasses can help protect your eyes!

When using sunglasses:
🕶️ Choose sunglasses with a UV400 rating or “100% UV protection” on the label. These sunglasses block more than 99% of UVA and UVB radiation and provide the most protection against UV rays.

👓 Do not mistake dark-tinted sunglasses as having UV protection. The darkness of the lens does not indicate its ability to shield your eyes from UV rays. Many sunglasses with light-colored tints – such as green, amber, red, and gray – can offer the same UV protection as very dark lenses.

👀 Check to see if your tinted glasses have UV protection. If you are unsure, your eye care professional may be able to check for you. When you wear tinted glasses, your pupils dilate and can increase exposure of your retinas to UV light. Without UV protection, you are putting yourself at risk for harmful effects associated with solar blindness.

💰 Do not mistake expensive sunglasses as being better for your eyes than cheaper ones.

☀️ Wrap around sunglasses offer more eye protection especially in direct sunlight.

👶🏼 Protecting children’s eyes with sunglasses is important.

👒Besides wearing sunglasses wear a wide brimmed hat to protect your eyes especially in direct sunlight between the hours of 10AM to 2PM.

👁️ If you wear contacts ask your doctor about UV protecting contacts.

🩺 You have only two eyes and you will use them forever, please see a professional for advice regarding eye protection and safety!

Let’s look at shoes that reduce falls and take good care of your feet! 👣👣👣👣

This is an “every age” issue. For example, at any age, heels, flip-flops and shoes with a leather or slippery sole can lead to tripping and stumbling.
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Here are a few things to look 👀 for in your footwear:

Soles: The midsoles of the shoes need to be sturdy and not too flexible to ensure better stability. Flexible shoes that bend too readily can cause a twist to a foot or ankle. Hard, sturdy soles are more slip-resistant than lightweight, flexible shoes. Choose shoes that have a good tread, and get rid of shoes that have worn out tread.
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Size: The shoes need to fit correctly. If the shoes are too big your foot will slip and slide within the shoe and can contribute to a fall or loss of balance. Shoes that are too tight cause foot pain which makes it difficult to walk and focus on each step.
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Closed Heels: Closed-heel shoes offer greater stability. Open heels while look fashionable and appear comfortable they have a-lot of movement for your foot. The heels of the shoe should also not be more than an inch thick. Low-heeled shoes provide greater stability.
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Outer Sole Material: A sole that is too smooth is slippery and a sole with too much tread grabs at the ground, which often makes a person more likely to fall.
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Be safe… everyone deserves a pair of gorgeous shoes that look wonderful. However, if those shoes cause a fall… well no shoes are that gorgeous!

Do I care about Candida auris?
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Yes! The CDC identified C. auris as an urgent threat because it is often resistant to treatment with anti fungal drugs and can cause severe infections with high death rates.
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Although still rare in the U.S., more than 1 in 3 patients with an invasive C. auris infection die from the disease.
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In general, the fungus is not a threat to healthy people. If you or your family have people who are very sick, or who have long or frequent stays in health care facilities or a weakened immune system are at increased risk for acquiring C. auris.
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People with invasive medical devices, such as catheters, breathing tubes and feeding tubes, are also more vulnerable.
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The fungus can cause a bloodstream infection. Fever, chills, sweats and low blood pressure are the most common symptoms of a C. auris infection. Infections have been found in patients of all ages, from preterm infants to the elderly.
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What do I do if I think I may have C. auris?
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See your health care provider immediately because C. auris may be resistant to the first anti fungal given as a treatment, treating it successfully may be a longer process than other fungal
Infections. C. auris can be carried on the skin with no symptoms and transferred to an at risk person. Cleaning hospital or long term care facility rooms with Clorox and UV lights can reduce the possible transmission.