Oral Systemic Health refers to the connection between the mouth and overall, systemic wellness. At Dental Health, our dentists are up-to-date on the new paradigm between dentistry and medicine. We believe the increasing awareness of the oral systemic health connection will completely revolutionize patient care. As the oral systemic connection is more clearly understood, at Dental Health we are committed to training our dentists in how diagnosing oral and periodontal disease effects in the overall health of our patients.
The oral systemic connection has been outlined in many scientific studies but remains virtually 
unknown to the public. The majority of the Dental Health team recently attended the second annual American Academy for Oral Systemic Health meeting in Cleveland, Ohio, representing one of the largest groups of dentists in attendance. The meeting, held at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic, outlined new scientific research linking dentistry and overall health.
Periodontal Disease Exacerbates Every Inflammatory Process in Your Body
Periodontal or gum disease is a chronic low-grade inflammation or infection of the gums and bone around the teeth. Oral inflammation is particularly worrisome because of its widespread prevalence and how often it is not diagnosed. The American Academy of Periodontology, tells us that three out of four Americans suffer from some form of gum disease. They state that despite this prevalence, only about 3% seek treatment for their gum disease. This obviously touches many lives and makes gum disease one of the more important sources of inflammation anywhere in the body.
New scientific research has shown that when long-term inflammation persists in the body, bad things happen. It is now recognized that there is an association between low-grade infections & inflammation and heart disease, diabetes, strokes, pregnancy complications, kidney disease, knee joint disorders, certain cancers, as well as many other diseases and medical conditions. Inflammation is now recognized as being a new risk factor for many of the medical diseases and conditions which plague modern man.
Emerging science also confirms that chronic low-grade infections in the mouth elevates systemic inflammation, and has an impact on all body systems. The mouth is further linked with the rest of the body when considering the impact sleep apnea, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and headaches, infections, and oral cancer. The significance of these numerous oral-systemic connections highlight the importance of preventing and treating oral disease, which has mounting and profound medical impacts on “whole body” health.
What Does All This Mean to You?
When you come to Dental Health, you will find that our dentists can put together a picture for you that incorporates oral and systemic risk factor findings, and discuss how perhaps your gum disease may place you at risk for cardiovascular disease, poor glycemic control or an adverse pregnancy outcome.
Once we have identified your risks, those that can be modified are incorporated into your specific treatment plan. Just as a physician will recommend a patient lose weight or prescribe an anti-hypertensive agent, our Dental Health Oral Physicians may make recommendations for you to begin a smoking cessation program, use specific preventive oral care products, monitor you blood sugar regularly or complete a nutrition counseling program, in addition to having regular dental exams and cleanings. At Dental Health, we put greater emphasis is placed on your total health, risk factor assessment and risk factor modification.
Especially for an aging population increasingly focused on reducing risk factors for heart disease and diabetes, this information couldn’t come at a better time. As physicians and dentist work together with their patients, they are beginning to insist that their at-risk patients keep their mouths healthy and free from gum and other oral diseases.
At Dental Health, we are committed to your overall health and to dentistry’s new role and partnership with other healthcare professionals. Our patients will enjoy the resulting benefits of improved oral and general health, better healing, better quality of life, longevity, and overall wellness.
Convenient Offices to Serve You
Colorado Dental Health are located up and down the front range of Colorado, so there is always a dentist close by to serve you. In Denver, we have three convenient locations: Downtown, Midtown and the Denver Tech Center. Our Westminster office serves the northern metropolitan area, and if you are in Boulder, Longmont or Greeley, there is a hometown Colorado Dental Health office at your service. Schedule a visit today.