Don't forget the dental floss

A friend once asked, Don’t you ever run out of things to write about?, to which I smiled, chuckled and gave the simple reply, No. A current event, a discussion or a social observation might trigger a thought process that finds find my fingertips streaming along the keyboard. In this instance, a personal experience bring these words to print.

A twelve-inch piece of dental floss and the subsequent expense of one thousand, one hundred seventy five dollars and twenty-five cents have led to comments on health care.

When the veterinarian quoted the seemingly astronomical figure to save the life of my Burmese cat Elvis, the dearest of my animal friends, I barely flinched. Rather than dwell on dollar signs, my mind centered on the tragic event caused by leaving the floss on the bathroom sink and how I had cost my three year old cat two or more of his lives. The vet explained that other pet owners are frequently faced with circumstances similar to mine. The nylon thread was imbedded in the intestinal wall, thus necessitating surgery.

As I waited for x-rays to be taken, my eyes gazed upon a pamphlet that displayed the threats of periodontal disease of cats and dogs. The heart, kidneys and liver absorb toxins from the poor condition of the teeth and gums. I was already familiar with the danger to the human heart and shouldn’t have been surprised to learn that all mammals are subject to the same health dangers.

I’ve spent three decades attempting to preserve my teeth and gums by flossing, gargle-washing and brushing at least twice daily. Twenty years ago periodontal surgery was necessary and this past fall molars had to be extracted. Quarterly check-ups and the guidance of periodontists throughout the years hadn’t prevented the worsening of the condition.

In some cases periodontal disease is hereditary. I assume this the case in my instance since I remember how Mom flossed fastidiously, although there is no known family history to claim this as fact.

Poor tooth and gum care aren’t the only causes of periodontal disease. Since diabetics are inherently susceptible to contracting infections, gum disease is one of the acknowledged complications. If not treated, periodontal patients are also at risk of developing diabetes, which can lead to nerve damage and eye and heart diseases.

Simply put, oral bacteria enters the blood stream, becomes attached to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries and contributes to clot formation, restricting normal blood flow and robbing the nutrients and oxygen required for the heart to function properly. This may lead to a stroke or heart attack.

High levels of stress (think financial worries) increase the likelihood of gum disease two-fold. The lack of proper care during troubling episodes of adulthood can be an attributing factor as a result of a regimented routine being disrupted. Good habits can die quick.

Periodontal disease is the number one cause of tooth loss. According to a 1996 American Dental Association/Colgate survey, U.S. dentists say gum disease is a more pressing oral health concern than tooth decay by a 2-to-1 margin.

Studies have also found that rheumatoid arthritis patients are nearly eight times more likely to have periodontal disease. And although studies have found 60% of periodontal patients are twice as likely to have chronic kidney disease, more research needs to be done to link the two together.

During periods of hormonal changes, such as puberty, menstruation and menopause, women become more susceptible to gum disease. Pregnant women are said to be seven times more likely to deliver pre-term, low birth weight babies.

The first signal of gum disease, gingivitis, is sensitivity to hot and cold liquids. The build-up of plaque (tartar) along the gum line due in swollen gums and possible bleeding. Pockets develop as irreversible bone loss leads to further irritation to the gums.

This leads me to concerns about the discussion of health care reform. Unless dental care is inclusive to the dialogue, the health of millions of Americans will remain at a high-risk level. Data from 2005 shows $86.6B was spent on dental care (44% out-of-pocket, 50% private insurance and 6% paid through public programs). And yet, 70% of Americans have no dental coverage and of that figure, 35% forgo an annual dental check-up.

Universal health care isn’t likely to resolve the shortcomings of the medical necessities for the populous. Overall costs could be contained with minimal dental coverage. Without this consideration, gum disease will leave millions of Americans requiring unnecessary medical attention for deteriorating heart, kidney and liver conditions.

Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, “survival of the fittest”, specifically applies to those with periodontal disease. Dental care coverage could curb eventual medical expenses and save lives.

BAD KITTY CAT

I grab the neck of that darn cat Sassy and ring it and toss his head around just a little bit. I’m forever having to spank him; sometimes people say it’s too hard.

What do expect from the “owner” when he misbehaves? Sassy is incessantly at my feet either paw-pickin’ my socks which is okay I guess but it’s a precursor of him attacking my ankle – for cryin’ out loud, I can feel his teeth on my skin! Bad kitty.

His harassment starts early in the morning, well before sunrise, like at 530am. He is so persistent in trying to get fed before breakfast the 7am breakfast. For a Siamese cat that hasn’t yet developed into the typical yowler, he sure makes his voice heard loud, clear and annoying. Some days I have to kick him. Sorry but that’s the way it is. We’re still trying to work out the details about it being my house but his domain.

Once his tummy is fed, Sassy exposes that same tummy trying to be so loving but his selfish goal is get me to assist him in stretching. I will say that with my training he does have very good form, his leg muscles well toned.

When he was just a couple weeks old and in my possession, he was named, not by creative intuition but because it was so obvious he was born to be a ‘sassy boy’.

After three years he’s no longer that little kitten that fit in the palm of my hand. He is one big boy now, barely able to fit on my lap. But he is so determined to harass me in any way he possibly can that after a while my legs go numb because the weight is so burdensome. It’s real nice when he decides to clean himself while I’m in such misery for lack of blood to my legs, or he falls limp in deep sleep for whatever length of time that serves his purpose. I tell ya, bad kitty!

It’s when he’s in a docile mood that I make my move and clench my hands around his neck and feel the softness of his hair. I feign anger and shake his head just a little bit but he’s too busy doing nothing to make a response. I don’t really need a reason but that’s when the spanking begins. Witnesses would claim that the soft pats are okay but when the butt thumpin’ begins they protest that it’s too hard, stop it! Bud Sassy makes no move to escape; he’s just at peace with the world around him as he could possibly be. Actually, he loves the touchy-feely strokes and body scratching. He doesn’t even flinch – he’s that comfortable with my loving hands.

And the gnawing at the ankles? Just when I think it might hurt, the tickling begins. He makes me chuckle every time. The stretching? He does it on his own but I help a little bit too when he looks at me on his side and his body language is almost pleading me to be his assistant in training. He’ll do this a few times every day.

Bad kitty? No. Good kitty!

Now, the morning food situation is all too real. Excuse me but I just have to find my Sassy cat and give him a good spanking. I good spanking indeed!