Oral Health & Life-Threatening Diseases

Detecting disease early is the key to saving lives. And when it comes to life-threatening conditions, such as oral cancer, diabetes, eating disorders, and HIV, help in detection may come from an unlikely source-your registered dental hygienist.

That's because the signs and symptoms of these and other diseases appear in the mouth long before they show up in other parts of the body. Dental hygienists routinely look for disease signs and symptoms, which can be detected during regular oral health examinations.

In addition, periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease, has been identified as a risk factor for serious illnesses and conditions such as heart disease, respiratory ailments, and the delivery of preterm, low-birthweight babies. A number of recent studies investigating the relationship between periodontal disease and health problems suggest that a primary bacteria found in the mouth when periodontal disease is present can enter the blood stream and spread throughout the body. This bacteria can infect the heart, as well as other body organs, and cause inflamed coronary arteries and blood clots, as well as changes in blood pressure and heart rate.

Approximately 75 percent of American adults have some form of periodontal disease and the majority of them do not know they have it, because it usually is painless and silent in its early stages. And while daily brushing and flossing at home is important, it's not enough. Periodontal disease starts below the gumline where toothbrushes and floss cannot reach. Only regular, professional cleanings, called prophylaxes, done by qualified, properly educated and licensed dental hygienists can keep gum disease under control.

The first-ever Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health, issued May 25, 2000, confirms the importance of oral health to general health.

• The mouth is a mirror of general health and well-being.
  
  
• Signs and symptoms of life-threatening conditions-oral cancer, eating disorders, and HIV-first appear in the mouth.
  
  
• Although good oral health can be achieved, significant disparities exist in the nation's oral health (e.g., 80% of cavities still occur in 25% of children).
  
  
• Preventable oral diseases still afflict a majority of Americans. Dental caries (tooth decay) is the single most common childhood disease; it's five times more common than asthma.

If serious diseases are detected or suspected, dental hygienists advise patients to obtain a conclusive diagnosis from a physician. Oral health is integral to total health and dental hygienists' primary role is to optimize patients' health status and recommend a home-care regimen that works to minimize related problems and promote overall health.

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