Oral Health EQUALS General Health

Your smile is one of the most important features people notice about you. Your smile indicates your state of health, exudes self-confidence and helps your image socially and professionally.

When you think of personal health issues, conditions like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and stroke come to mind. Surprisingly, several serious health conditions like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and stroke have been linked to poor dental health. Most people will tell you they take good care of their teeth. However, statistics show a different reality. Here are some dental health facts that may surprise you:

- 90% of systemic disorders have oral manifistations

- Every year 168 billion work hours are lost due to dental conditions and over 64 billion dollars is spent on dental expenses.

- People who drink 3 or more sugary sodas daily have 62% more dental decay, fillings and tooth loss.

- It has been reported that 50% Americans do not seek regular dental care.

- Poor oral hygiene also hurts children: Cavities are the number one childhood dental problem: 50% of all children ages 5-9 have at least one cavity or filling. By the age 17, about 70% have permanently lost at least one tooth to tooth decay.

- Although it may seem unreal, 3 out of EVERY 10 adults over 65 have lost all of their teeth. Loss of teeth can shorten a person's life by as much as 10 years.

Regular dental visits twice a year can mean the difference between excellent and poor general health.

Your mouth is one of your body's natural warning systems for a broad range of systemic disorders. A professional is able to see signs of chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, cancer, and AIDS through a basic mouth exam. They can also spot complications for treatments such as chemotherapy.

Here are some common oral problems that if left untreated can lead or be an indicator of a serious health problem:

COMMON ORAL PROBLEMS

Bad Breath

More than 90 million people suffer from bad breath; the most common cause is poor oral hygiene.

Bad breath or Halitosis, is caused by the presence of oral bacteria. Oral bacteria usually reside on the back portion of your tongue and in between back teeth on the gum line. These places are usually not cleaned effectively when brushing.

Canker Sores

Canker sores or "recurrent minor aphthous ulcers" are small painful mouth ulcers that appear in the front of the mouth and on the tongue. They are the most common type of mouth ulcer.

The precise cause of why canker sores form has not been definitively determined but it is likely that their development is related to a reaction of an individual's own immune system. Possible causes include:

• Toothpastes and mouthwashes that contain sodium lauryl sulfate.
• Physical and mechanical trauma
• Emotional stress
• Allergies and sensitivities.
• Bacterial or viral Infections

Tooth Decay / Cavities:

Today 85% of adults have cavities developed by tooth decay. Tooth Decay pain, bad breath, sensitivity to sweets, and sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.

Cavities are the number one ailment among children: 50% of all children ages 5 through 9 have at least one cavity or filling. By age 17, 80% of children have cavities and 70% have permanently lost a tooth to decay.

Good oral hygiene significantly reduces the risk of getting cavities. Brushing, flossing and the use of a water pick are good preventative measures. For preventing tooth decay brushing and flossing combined cleans the mouth 35% more effectively than brushing alone.

Tooth Loss

Tooth loss is not an inevitable result of aging. It can also occur due to disease or physical injury. About 30% of all adults over the age of 65 have lost all of their teeth. The effects of tooth loss go beyond difficulty with chewing and speaking; Loss of teeth is directly linked to lower confidence and self-esteem. 25% of people with tooth loss avoid romantic relationships due to fear of rejection.

Dental implants, dentures and bridges are a few of the options available to correct tooth loss. Consult a cosmetic dentist in your area to learn more about tooth replacement.

Oral Pain

Oral pain is a condition that everyone has experienced. It often occurs in the form of a toothache and quickly subsides with proper dental care. However some face and joint pain can become chronic conditions. Approximately 10 million women in the US alone suffer from chronic face or jaw joint pain. Oral pain can also affect your ability to get a good night sleep. 55% of the population has trouble sleeping due to oral pain.

A "Toothache" is mouth pain that is usually associated with a dental problem such as a cavity or a fractured tooth. In other cases the source of a "toothache" may not be the tooth. A Jaw joint infection or a muscle spasm can also create oral pain that is similar to a toothache. Oral pain may be a symptom of heart attack, angina, ear infections or sinusitis.

Dental x-rays could help your dentist determine where the source of the pain is. When you have a case of oral pain, it is important to consult a dentist quickly to determine the source and find a method of treatment.

Bad Bites

Many people have alignment irregularities in their teeth and jaws to varying degrees. Such irregularities from slight crowding to an uneven jaw create a "bad bite." Although most people visit a cosmetic dentist to correct their bites to gain a more beautiful smile, dentists recommend treatment for better mouth functionality.

A bad bite can make speaking and chewing difficult. Having a bad bite can also put tremendous pressure on teeth and jaws causing tooth fractures and eventually tooth loss. They are also a major contributor to head, neck and facial pain.

Some causes for a bad bite are: genetics, trauma to teeth and jaws, extended thumb sucking and premature loss of primary teeth.

Cosmetic dentists and orthodontists now have treatment methods that are simpler and less time consuming. Correcting a bad bite not only creates a beautiful smile and allows you to eat and speak with ease; it also prevents premature wear of tooth surfaces,

Gingivitis

Nearly 80% of Americans suffer from periodontal (gum) disease. Gingivitis is an early stage of periodontal disease. When bacteria build up between your teeth and gums, plaque is formed. When the plaque stays on your teeth for more than two or three days it becomes tartar, a hard white substance that acts as a reservoir for bacteria under your gum line. Tartar in time can irritate the gingiva (the part of the gums surrounding the teeth) to the point of swelling and bleeding.

Most common cause for gingivitis is poor oral hygiene. Other factors include a week immune system, diabetes and some medications can make a person more susceptible to gingivitis. The Brushing and flossing daily accompanied with routine professional cleanings can significantly reduce your chances of developing gingivitis.

SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH POOR ORAL HYGIENE

Periodontal disease (Gum Disease)

When gingivitis is left untreated, it can become periodontal disease (gum disease), a serious infection that destroys the bone and soft tissue supporting teeth, and can lead to tooth loss.

Risk Factors:

Long term periodontal disease may lead to more serious conditions such as high blood sugar levels, higher risk of heart attack and stroke, heart disease, Aspiration pneumonia and premature labor.

Research shows that the gum disease causing bacteria can travel through your blood into your heart and cause inflammation and narrowing of arteries, which may lead to heart attacks. These bacteria can also increase the development of blood clots in the brain leading to a stroke. A sore mouth or jaw could be a sign of an impending heart attack or heart disease. People with gum disease are shown to be twice as likely to have heart disease.

Pregnant women with periodontal disease are more prone to premature birth. Periodontal disease increases the level of labor inducing chemicals in the mother that can lead to premature labor.

95% of diabetics also have periodontal disease. The bad breath, bleeding gums and dry mouth can also be an indicator of diabetes: Today 17 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes.

A receding gum line is a symptom of osteoporosis. An estimated 10 million men and women are diagnosed and over 44 million are at high risk of developing the condition. Osteoporosis speeds the bone deterioration caused by periodontal disease.

Concluding from the risk factors stated, disease can affect your well being far beyond your oral health. Periodontal disease should be taken very seriously and treatment should start as early as possible.

The symptoms of periodontal disease include:
• Swollen, bright red or purple gums
• Gums that feel tender when touched
• Gums that pull away from your teeth (recede), making your teeth look longer than normal
• New spaces developing between your teeth
• Pus between your teeth and gums
• Persistent breath odor or a bad taste in your mouth
• Loose teeth or a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

Treatment Methods:

The good news is that periodontal disease is both preventable and curable. Your dentist will measure the groove between your teeth and gums using a probe. Depending on how advanced your case of periodontal disease is your dentist will recommend different treatment methods.

Oral cancer

Oral cancer can develop at any part of the mouth and throat. Usually it starts at the tongue and the floor of the mouth. 29,000 people are diagnosed with Oral cancer in the United States every year. 7800 people die from oral and throat cancers each year.

Although specific causes for oral cancer have not been found, there are considerable risk factors. These include family history of oral cancer, exposure to the sun without protection, the use of tobacco and alcohol consumption. Some studies show that not eating enough fruits and vegetables may increase your chances of getting oral cancer.

Refraining from the use of tobacco, limiting your alcohol intake, wearing sunscreen and maintaining a good diet is the best way to prevent oral cancer.

Common symptoms of oral cancer:
• Red and white patches inside your mouth or on your lips
• A sore on your lips or in your mouth that won't heal
• Bleeding in your mouth
• Loose teeth
• Difficulty or pain when swallowing
• Difficulty wearing dentures
• A lump in your neck
• An earache

If you have any of these symptoms you should visit your dentist and get tested. Most often these symptoms do not indicate cancer, but it is wise to be safe and sure. During your dental exam, if your doctor may order a biopsy (taking sample cells from the abnormal section inside your mouth). A biopsy is the only way to ensure that the abnormal tissue is not cancer.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO FOR BETTER HEALTH AND ORAL HYGIENE

The health choices you make in your life impact you emotionally, mentally and physically.

In order to live a healthy lifestyle and enjoy a beautiful smile, you should take your oral hygiene very seriously. See a dentist at least twice a year and get a professional cleaning at least once a year. As long as you visit a dentist regularly and get check ups, any possible conditions will be diagnosed and treated in the earliest stages of development.

Always brush and floss 3 times a day (after every meal) and replace your tooth brush every 3 months or when it starts looking worn out.

By taking these simple steps you can ensure a healthier life and avoid most of the conditions we mentioned.

THE VALUE OF A BEAUTIFUL SMILE

Statistics reveal that Americans place a high value on a beautiful smile. According to an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry national survey:

• 92% of Americans believe an attractive smile is an important social asset.

• 85% of Americans believe an unattractive smile makes a person less appealing to the opposite sex.

• 50% of Americans are not satisfied with the appearance of their own smile.

A beautiful smile will give you a more youthful and healthy look and the confidence you need to move forward in life and succeed. It helps you in the workplace, in social settings as well as in relationships.

If so many of us are unhappy with our smiles, why haven't we made the effort to enhance such an important feature? Surveys show that the main reasons why we avoid dental care are: Fear, money, time, sense of urgency and trust.

Many have the"if it's not broken, why fix it" mentality towards dental visits. But as you just have just read, many dental conditions are "silent" and do not cause pain until the condition has advanced. Addressing the dental conditions once they have advanced, increases the cost of treatment, pain, time and the effort required to properly treat the condition. Therefore it is extremely important to find and treat the problem in its early stages and that is only possible with timely dentist visits.

Most of us just fear dental visits because we are afraid of pain or we simply don't have enough time. New dental technologies and methods have made dental procedures less painful and faster. Invest some time in your health and well being and do not procrastinate.

Money is another reason why many of us don't visit our dentists as often as we should. Dental insurance plans usually cover many procedures either fully or partially.

It is extremely important that you trust and feel comfortable with your dentist. On Cosmeticdentist411.com you can find a qualified cosmetic dentist and their complete profiles with before and after photos of procedures they have performed on other patients. On Cosmeticdentist411 you are sure to find a great dentist that can give you the kind of dental care you deserve.

If you are not happy with your smile, make an appointment with a cosmetic dentist and learn how a well trained and qualified professional can give you a perfect smile you will be proud to show off.

SOURCES

Oral Health in America: A report of the Surgeon General, 2000

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http://www.animated-teeth.com/tooth_decay/t1_tooth_decay_cavities.htm

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