You may have heard of the mind/body connection, but what about the MOUTH/BODY connection?  A dental visit is more than getting your teeth cleaned…..it’s about your overall health.  What goes on in your mouth can affect the rest of your body and vice versa.

While examining your mouth, your dentist may see a sign or symptom of  an illness or a disease that you may not even know you have.

Your oral health can affect other medical conditions.  For an example, if you are a diabetic, a mouth infection can disrupt your blood/sugar levels and make your diabetes harder to control.  Gum disease may increase the risk of medical problems.  These include:  heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and premature births.

About 35% of all Americans have some form of periodontitis.  Another 50% have gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease. 

So, the next time you think it’s “just a cleaning”…..think again!!