subject: How Important Is Your Oral Health? Understanding The Connection Between Your Oral And Overall Health [print this page] Today, we understand that gum disease has an effect on many areas of your body, not just your teeth and gums. Recent medical studies now confirm that there is indeed a casual relationship between gum disease and other serious diseases of the body. This news continues to be groundbreaking not only for dentists and doctors alike, but for patients as well. In short, the bacteria found in your mouth causes gingivitis and periodontal disease-which affects approximately 80% of the population-are connected to critical systemic diseases including:
*Heart disease
*Diabetes
*Lung disease
*Stroke
*Alzheimer's disease
*An array of others
Diabetes and Your Oral Health
To date, approximately 23.6 million Americans have diabetes, which is about 7.8% of the population with 1.6 million new cases diagnosed each year for people over the age of 20. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you may know that this disease can cause problems with your eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and other parts of your body. However, did you know it can also affect the health of your mouth? With diabetes, your resistance to infection is lowered and your healing process is slower. The most common oral health complications associated with diabetes include:
*Tooth decay
*Periodontal (gum) disease
*Salivary gland dysfunction
*Fungal infections
*Infection and delayed healing
*Taste impairment
Since diabetes reduces your body's resistance to infection, the gums are among the tissues likely to be affected. Periodontal diseases are infections of the gum and bone that hold your teeth in place. Patients with inadequate blood sugar control often appear to develop periodontal disease more often and more severely than those who do not have diabetes. Additionally, they may also lose more teeth than persons who have proper control of their diabetes. It is possible to have periodontal disease and not experience all of the warning signs. If you notice any of the warning signs of gum disease, visit your Dearborn dentist immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Maintain Oral Health with Periodontal Exams
At Luria & Birnholtz Family Dentistry, you are encouraged to undergo periodontal exams in order to maintain their oral health. Periodontal exams are used to assess the health of your gums and teeth. They can also help your dentists to diagnose gum diseases, gingivitis and periodontitis. Additionally, these exams can also reveal receding gums, exposed roots, tooth grinding and other problems, making periodontal exams vital in the maintenance of proper oral health.
During your periodontal examination, your Dearborn dentist will check for the following:
*Lumps or abnormal areas in the mouth
*Loose or missing teeth
*Color, texture, size and shape of your gums
*Fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures or implants
*Plaque that is currently on your teeth
*The depth of the space between your tooth and gum
At each visit, your dentist in Dearborn, MI will complete a periodontal examination, placing a strong emphasis on the importance of regular, routine visits at least twice a year.
In addition to proper at-home dental health care, it is important to visit your Dearborn, MI dentists regularly. Your dentist is often the first to notice signs of diseases, and with regular dental care you can help fight gum disease and other complications protecting your overall health.
