Oral Health
The link between dental health and general health
Did you know that, by looking into a person's mouth, a dentist might be able to tell if he or she is a candidate for osteoporosis in the future?
It's true, and the relationship between dental and general health is not just
limited to osteoporosis. Take a look at these important correlations between
general and dental health:
- Bone loss in the lower jaw may precede skeletal bone loss from osteoporosis.
- Mouth lesions and other oral conditions may be early indicators of HIV infections and are used to determine the stage of infection and follow its progression to AIDS.
- Called "the sixth complication of diabetes," periodontal disease is more likely in diabetics.
- Certain cancer treatments may also damage mouth tissues and necessitate treatment for oral infections.
- Studies show increased risk of heart disease and stroke in people with gum infections.
- Some studies show that mothers of pre-term, low birth weight infants have more severe gum disease than mothers of babies with normal birth weights.
How can I reduce the cost of dental treatment?
Without a dental plan, dental treatment can cost hundreds and even thousands of dollars. Proper dental care is vital, however, and should not be ignored. If you believe you will soon need a dental procedure, you may want to consider a dental plan to help reduce your costs.
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- Healthy Teeth and Eyes
- Caring for Your Teeth
- Vision Wellness
- Take a Dental Health Quiz
