Oral Health, Whole Body Health

Why Great Hill Dental practices oral-systemic “Whole Health” Dentistry

What is “oral-systemic health”? In plain English, it is a term used to describe the relationship between the quality of one’s oral health and their overall body, or “whole” health, and the medically proven danger* that poor oral health has, with a wide variety of serious bodily diseases.

Fact: Nearly 80% of Americans has some form of mild to severe periodontal (gum) disease, which is often referred to as the “Silent Epidemic”.

Gum Disease has a medically proven association with:

• Heart Disease – 168% HIGHER risk
• Stroke 2.5x the normal risk of stroke
• CHD 50% HIGHER risk
• High blood pressure
• Pre-term birth
• Preeclampsia
• Diabetes (poor glycemic control)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Aspiration Pneumonia
• Osteoporosis
• Alzheimer’s
• Pancreatic Cancer / Mouth Cancer / Colorectal Cancer
• Human Papilloma Virus

And more connections are being researched today, with evidence pointing to even more oral-systemic health connections.

How does gum disease increase the danger to your whole body health?

Gum disease is an inflammatory disease caused by bacteria. The body reaction to an overload of bacteria is an inflammatory process that can often spread to other areas of the body, causing the potential for other, even more serious medical complications. Inflammation in the body is a prime suspect in the cause of many diseases, including the ones listed above.

How do I know if I have Gum Disease?

Your Great Hill Dental dentist can determine of gum disease is present, and what treatment is recommended. However, there are some warning signs:

• Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth?
• Are your gums swollen or sensitive?
• Have your gums receded, or do your teeth seem longer than before?
• Do you have sensitive or loose teeth?
• Has the position of your teeth changed?
• Do you have problems with bad breath?

Whole Health-Focused Dental Care

Great Hill Dental is at the cutting edge of oral-systemic health care. In addition to our highest quality regular and specialty dental services, Great Hill Dental offers a personalized periodontal (gum disease) Treatment Protocol that includes a program for gum disease at all levels of infection mild to severe. 1) We use a safe, painless salivary test to determine the level of periodontal bacteria present this takes just a few minutes in our office. This test includes specific bacterial testing to determine the exact type of bacteria as it relates to your body, thus identifying the most effective customized treatment protocol. 2) Saliva sample and analysis 3) Based upon results of these tests, your dentist will provide a treatment plan that, depending upon the severity of the gum disease, may include:

• Deep cleaning, irrigation and disinfection
• Periodontal medication
• Antibiotics specific to the patients type of bacteria
• Anesthesia (if needed)
• Topical Fluoride
• Home Care kit including a Waterpick and therapeutic irrigation to help get the best possible results!

Dentists and Physicians agree – the health of the mouth is critical to overall health! Call us today and schedule your dental exam or consultation. You owe it to your health! *Scientific analysis of the links between periodontal (gum) disease and systemic health were carried out at the 9th European workshop in Periodontology, in conjunction with the American Academy of Periodontology, with consensus agreement that periodontal disease represents a major public health issue and is associated with numerous systemic diseases. * CDC study: https://www.perio.org/consumer/cdc-study.htm *AAOSH.com * http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/features/periodontal-disease-heart-health * http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Member%20Center/FIles/Perio_heart.pdf?la=en These are just a few of the numerous studies done on the relationship between oral and systemic health. For a more complete list, please feel free to contact us and request more information.