We’ve all heard the numbers being called out in the dental chair…2…3…3…2…hoping we don’t score higher than a 3 or maybe 4…because a 5 means you have an increased risk for gum disease.
Yes – your oral health has a direct impact on your overall health.
It has been reported that 3 out of every 4 Americans have signs of mild periodontal disease or gingivitis. Almost 30% show signs of the more severe disease, chronic periodontitis. We now have reason to believe that the health of your teeth and gums may have a significant effect on the overall health of your body. Recent scientific literature suggests a strong relationship between oral disease and other systemic diseases and medical conditions.
Oral systemic dentistry is a growing area of study that is only gaining more popularity with dental health professionals. The ability to share patient health information between primary care physicians and dentists, is allowing that beneficial communication to make a difference in diagnosis, patient care, and treatments available.
According to http://www.oralsystemicconnection.com/, the most significant areas identified to-date to have a suspected oral systemic connection are:
– Cardiovascular Disease
– Pulmonary Disease
– Fetal Development
– Diabetes
– Orthopedic Implant Failure
– Kidney Disease
In all of the above mentioned medical conditions, oral bacteria and periodontal disease are suspected contributing factors. In some cases, it may be the periodontal pathogenic bacteria or their associated cytokines that are the culprits. In other cases, it may be the secondary inflammatory response within the body that may initiate or aggravate an underlying medical condition. Whatever the pathway, it is imperative that patients understand periodontal disease, and how it may be treated or prevented.
Check out this new product from a Fox News segment we found on YouTube:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGkuJFGs05A]
