Overall Health
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
FOR THE DENTAL PATIENT ... WHAT YOU CAN DO Healthy mouth, Given the potential link between periodontitis and systemic health problems, prevention may be an healthy body important step in maintaining overall health. Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day. Clean he mouth is a window into the health between your teeth with floss or another type of of the body. It can show signs of nutri- interdental cleaner once a day. Your dentist may tional deficiencies or general infection. recommend using an antimicrobial mouthrinse as For example, systemic diseases—those part of your daily oral hygiene routine. that affect the entire body, such as dia- Choose dental products with the American Tbetes, AIDS and Sjögren’s syndrome—may first Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance, an impor- become apparent because of mouth lesions or tant symbol of a dental product’s safety and other oral problems. effectiveness. The mouth is filled with countless bacteria, Eat a balanced diet and limit snacks, which may some linked to tooth decay and periodontal (gum) reduce your risk of developing tooth decay and peri- disease. Researchers have found that periodon- odontal disease. titis (the advanced form of periodontal disease Schedule regular dental checkups. Professional that can cause tooth loss) is linked with other cleanings are the only way to remove calculus health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, (tartar), which traps plaque bacteria along the stroke and bacterial pneumonia. Likewise, preg- gum line. nant women with periodontitis may be at If you notice any of these signs, see your dentist: increased risk of delivering preterm and/or dgums that bleed during brushing and flossing; low-birth-weight infants. dred, swollen or tender gums; dgums that have pulled away from your teeth; EXPLORING POSSIBLE LINKS dpersistent bad breath; More studies are needed, but some researchers dpus between your teeth and gums; suspect that bacteria and inflammation linked to dloose or separating teeth; periodontitis play a role in some systemic diseases da change in the way your teeth fit together when or conditions. Likewise, diseases such as diabetes, you bite; blood cell disorders, HIV infections and AIDS can da change in the fit of partial dentures. lower the body’s resistance to infection, making Tell your dentist about changes in your overall periodontal diseases more severe. health, particularly any recent illnesses or chronic Several studies link chronic inflammation from conditions. Provide an updated health history, periodontitis with the development of cardiovas- including medication use—both prescription and cular problems. Some evidence suggests that oral over-the-counter products. If you use tobacco, talk to bacteria may be linked to heart disease, arterial your dentist about options for quitting. blockages and stroke. If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming People with diabetes often have periodontal pregnant, pay particular attention to your teeth and disease. In addition, there is evidence that people gums. That’s because pregnancy—and the changing with diabetes are more likely to develop and have hormone levels that occur with it—can exaggerate more severe periodontitis than those without dia- some dental problems. Taking good care of your oral betes. Some studies suggest that periodontitis can health is important for you and your infant. I make it more difficult for people with diabetes to Prepared by the ADA Division of Communications, in cooperation with control their blood sugar. The Journal of the American Dental Association and the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs. Unlike other portions of JADA, this page may be clipped Although periodontitis may contribute to these and copied as a handout for patients, without first obtaining reprint per- health conditions, it’s important to understand mission from the ADA Publishing Division. Any other use, copying or dis- tribution, whether in printed or electronic form, is strictly prohibited that just because two conditions occur at the same without prior written consent of the ADA Publishing Division. time, it doesn’t necessarily mean that one condi- “For the Dental Patient” provides general information on dental treat- tion causes the other. That’s why researchers are ments to dental patients. It is designed to prompt discussion between den- examining what happens when periodontitis is tist and patient about treatment options and does not substitute for the dentist’s professional assessment based on the individual patient’s needs treated in people with these various health and desires. problems. JADA, Vol. 137 http://jada.ada.org April 2006 563 Copyright ©2005 American Dental Association. All rights reserved..