Dr. Christopher Zed, DDS, is a dental surgeon and the owner of Bayview Lonsdale Dental since August of 2020. Additionally, he has been the Principal Associate with Apna Dental Centre in Vancouver. He has been a dedicated member of the dental community for more than 30 years and continues to develop as a professional through continuing education and commitment to excellence.
Dr. Zed has a long history of experience in dental health care beyond his own personal practice. He has over 25 years of educator experience with the University of British Columbia. There, he was a clinical professor, teaching numerous generations of dental professionals the proper techniques for clinical practice.
For another decade of his life, Dr. Christopher Zed was Chief of Dentistry with the Vancouver General Hospital. He led the Department of Dentistry with patient-centered care at the core of his philosophy. He promoted patient education and empowerment. He was particularly focused on involving patients in all stages of the decision-making process.
Throughout his time as a dental practitioner, he has been a major member of the greater dental community as well. He has been published numerous times, participating in numerous peer-reviewed articles. He is an expert on many topics in the dental field, with a particular interest in community dentistry and Oral Cancer.
A major highlight of Dr. Christopher Zed’s career was his brief time as the Olympic Chief of Dentistry during the 2010 Olympics. He was in charge of the oral health of thousands of Olympic athletes during the competitions. He was also a guest speaker on behalf of 3M during the Olympics, representing a major company in the healthcare supply industry.
Today he has settled into a comfortable and well-run practice, which he continues to run with patient-centered care at the core of his philosophy.
Outside of his long and robust work life, Dr. Christopher Zed has a deep love for his family. He has been supported by his 4 children as much as he has supported them. He enjoys spending time with them, as well as his own personal hobbies. He is an avid outdoor enthusiast, with skiing and flyfishing being his two favorite activities. Dr. Zed also enjoys the finer things in life, such as wine-tasting – particularly when combined with his own hand-cooked meals.
Dr. Christopher Zed Describes How Oral Health is Bodily Health
We often underestimate the importance of dental healthcare in terms of broader physical health. But the mouth is a major entryway for many bacteria, viruses, and diseases. Additionally, the head is a major pathway for several arteries and veins, which can be particularly dangerous if a tooth becomes infected. Daily brushing and flossing are key to maintaining proper dental health – and physical health across your body.
Virus Protection
While this applies to many different viruses, it’s probably best to use the current pandemic as a primary example. We understand that the coronavirus is spread via the nose and mouth – through coughing, sneezing, and even simply talking, we can spread the virus via airborne respiratory droplets. Brushing your teeth doesn’t prevent this entirely, but toothpaste and mouthwash are antibacterial, which means they can severely cut the viral load – the number of viral particles in your mouth – which can decrease the potential for spreading the disease. Because the antibacterial agents in toothpaste linger in our mouths for a time, this could also help prevent contracting illness as well.
Heart Health
Poor periodontal health can lead to higher rates of inflammation in the body. High rates of inflammation over a long period of time – you might notice this in gum irritation, bleeding, or other oral health issues – can lead to many health issues. Inflammation promotes the creation of immune cells, but long-term inflammation can lead to heart issues. The connection between cardiovascular disease and gum disease has yet to be directly connected, but it’s not unreasonable to see the potential issues that may arise.
Mental Health
This last point is perhaps the least assured, but there is some evidence that gum disease is a plausible risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. In particular, there is a bacteria called Porphyromonas gingivalis – strongly associated with gum disease – which has been found in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s. The nature of Alzheimer’s makes this connection a bit of a chicken-egg situation – does Alzheimer’s cause gum disease, or the other way around? – but as we are still learning about the bacterial biome that is the human body, these kinds of connections are worth noting and investigating further.
