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The importance of oral health
Oral health means more than just an
attractive smile. Poor oral health and untreated oral diseases and
conditions can have a significant impact on quality of life. And in many
cases, the condition of the mouth mirrors the condition of the body as a
whole. Recent reports indicate a relationship may exist between
periodontal (gum) disease and stroke, heart disease, and preterm
lowbirth?weight babies. Likewise, more than 90 percent of all systemic
diseases have oral manifestations, meaning your dentist may be the first
health care provider to diagnose a health problem.
What problems can poor
oral health cause?
According to the recently released Surgeon
General's report on oral health in America, a large percentage of the
population suffers from a reduced quality of life due to oral and facial
pain. This pain is largely due to infections of the gums that support the
teeth and can lead to tooth loss. More than 75 percent of the population
is affected by some type of periodontal disease or gingivitis.
Recent reports show that infections in the mouth may affect major organs.
One example is bacterial endocarditis, a condition in which the lining of
the heart and heart valves become inflamed. Poor mouth care also may
contribute to oral cancer, which now takes more lives annually than
cervical or skin cancer.
In addition, poor oral health
affects the digestive process, which begins with physical and chemical
activities in the mouth. Problems here can lead to intestinal failure,
Irritable Bowel Syndrome and other problems.
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What symptoms from other diseases show up in
the mouth?
Mouth tissues reflect symptoms of other
problems. In addition, many diseases can be diagnosed in their early
stages through an oral examination. These diseases may be characterized by
swollen gums, mouth ulcers, dry mouth and/or excessive gum problems. Some
of these diseases include diabetes, leukemia, cancer, heart disease and
kidney disease.
What can I do?
Seeing a dentist every six months can help
identify diseases in their earliest stages. It also is important to
provide your dentist with a complete medical/dental history and to inform
him or her of any recent problems, even if they seem unrelated to your
mouth.
What can my dentist do?
A regular exam allows your dentist to keep your mouth
in tip?top shape and watch for developments that may point to problems
elsewhere in your body. A dental exam also picks up on poor nutrition and
hygiene, growth and development problems and improper jaw alignment.
According to a recent survey, 90 percent of dentists said they counsel
patients on home care for special oral health care needs resulting from
chemotherapy or head and neck radiation therapy. Eightyseven percent of
dentists surveyed responded that they counsel patients on tobacco use,
more than half provide direct counseling to patients. Thirtyeight percent
of respondents also provide literature on the dangers of tobacco and
information on tobacco cessation programs to patients, 17 percent refer
patients to their primary care physician, and 14 percent directly refer
patients to cessation services.
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