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The Surgeon General said it best: "Oral health is integral to general health. You cannot be healthy without oral health
There is a strong association between what goes on in your mouth and the rest of your body. While studies are underway to determine cause and effect, these associations highlight the importance of being proactive about preventive dental care.
Some examples of the mouth-body link include:
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Periodontal disease and low-birth weight. It has been reported that pregnant women with periodontal disease may be up to seven times more likely to give birth to a low-weight or pre-term baby. It has been estimated that almost 20% of pre-term and low-weight births may be linked to periodontal disease.
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Periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis. In one study, people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were more than twice as likely to have periodontal disease with moderate to severe jawbone loss as those without RA. RA patients also averaged 11.6 missing teeth, compared to 6.7 in the control group.
Many other diseases also have symptoms that initially show up in the mouth, offering early warning signs of sometimes serious medical conditions. In fact, more than 120 disease signs and symptoms can be detected through a routine oral exam.
What can you do to keep your mouth healthy?
The top three things are brushing (twice a day), flossing (once a day, at night) and regular visits to the dentist. Dentists are often the first to detect cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions in the mouth. They can often spot other diseases as well, including anorexia and bulimia, anemia and, in some cases, the presence of AIDS by detecting oral infections that come from a compromised immune system.
Education is also important. Our Web site’s “Oral Health and Wellness” section can help you learn more about the connection between your oral health and overall health. It features articles not only about the basics (such as tooth brushing, tips, choosing a toothpaste and eating right for your oral health), but also more about the link between certain conditions and oral health. Go to www.deltadentalnj.com. Click “Oral Health” on the left navigation bar.
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