Dentistry's Obligation to Prevent Systemic Diseases and Infections
Dentistry has an important obligation that has received more
and more media coverage over the last five years. Did you know that more than 80% of adults
suffer from some form of gum disease? Eighty percent is an overwhelming
number. Did you know that gum disease
has now been linked to dozens of diseases and conditions including: low birth weight babies, heart
disease, pneumonia, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, even wrinkly skin
and erectile dysfunction? It seems more
and more systemic illnesses are being connected to gum disease.
Does your dentist take your measurements? Not your body measurements, but the depth of the pocketing in your gums? If you hear numbers at the dentist like "Two, two, one, two, three" then your dentist is measuring the health of your gums. If you have bleeding points or if you hear any numbers greater than three, you should have more frequent cleanings and check ups because that means an active infection exists in your mouth.
Are you thinking, "What does that have to do with my heart?"
A large portion of the population still believes that it is normal for gums to bleed. It is not. Gum disease spreads via the blood stream or inhalation into the lungs and spreads throughout the body causing the systemic diseases, or at the very least, aggravating existing ones.
The fact is, gum disease causes a shorter life expectancy. If your dentist or hygienist is not measuring your gum health, then request that it be done. If they don't do it, find a new dentist. If you have an active infection with measurements over three or bleeding, you should be at the dentist more frequently. Your life depends on it.