Good oral hygiene is important towards maintaining one's
overall health. It is generally
appreciated within the dental and medical community that poor oral health can
be linked to heart and lung disease, diabetes, stroke, extremely high-birth
weight, and premature births. The presence of oral problems is usually the
first warning sign of some of these general health issues. This consensus among the various healthcare
providers has risen to level that the U.S. Surgeon General has issued policy
statements on oral health as a strong indicator of overall health and
well-being (CDC, 2006).
Brushing and flossing have risen in importance as your
key ‘between visits’ maintenance tools. In addition, the use of the proper products
for home care, such as an electric toothbrush, ADA approved toothpastes and
washes are equally important. Without
consistent care, several general as well as oral health problems may result or
be exacerbated. For all ages, if your
water is not fluoridated or the majority of your water consumption is through
bottled water you should consult with your dental care provider about using supplemental
fluoride. In areas without fluoride in
the water the rate of tooth decay and other health issues is much higher.
While practicing good oral hygiene is vital to your
health, there is only so much that brushing and flossing can do. Your average patient can easily overlook
conditions that could greatly complicate or even end one's life. So, visiting your dentist for regular
checkups is a vital part of your overall health care. "Routine dental exams uncover problems
that can be easily treated in the early stages, when damage is minimal"
(American Dental Association [ADA], 2008).
Since gum disease is acknowledged as a major risk factor for heart
disease, stroke, and certain forms of cancer, regular visits to your dentist
can help prevent and treat these potential diseases. By treating conditions early and learning
from your dentist how to prevent oral health issues, you can achieve better
overall health and ultimately better the quality of your life.
Your dental care is so important to your
general health care; you need to make sure you find a dentist that is right for
you and your family. This can be a
difficult process. Look for someone
who’s competent and you feel comfortable with, one you can have a collaborative
relationship with. This is important because there are conditions and problems
that were not discussed in this article that the dentist will need to pay
attention to during your regular checkups. Hopefully after reading this
article, you will have a heightened understanding of the basic need for good
oral health. If you have
additional questions or concerns feel free to contact us.
Dr. Scheinfeld is an Emory
University School of Dentistry trained prosthodontist treating patients in the
Sandy Springs, East Cobb, Dunwoody, Roswell, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Vinings
and Buckhead areas of Metro Atlanta. Of
the 170,000 dentists in the U.S., less than 2% are prosthodontist.
Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC
290 Carpenter Drive, 200A
Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328
404-256-3620
Resource information provided by:
Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. (2006, December). Oral Health for Adults.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Division of Oral Health. Retrieved
February 6, 2009 from http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/factsheets/adult.htm
Oral health in
America: Summary of the surgeon general's report. (2006, April 16). Retrieved
February 7, 2009, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/Oralhealth/publications/factsheets/sgr2000_05.htm
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