Drayton dental shines a spotlight on our teeth and gums

The health of our teeth and gums is linked to many other life conditions including strokes, diabetes, bacterial lung infections, dementia, low birth-weight and premature babies, and heart disease, among others. In fact, as many as 20 serious illnesses have been linked to gum disease, says Drayton dentist, Vasiliki Stamatoukou.

Our mouth provides a gateway window to the health of our bodies and as such it is vitally important we take good care of it. The health of our teeth and gums impacts us in lots of ways that many of us would never have imagined.

Here are some latest findings that we would like to share with our patients in Drayton, Hellesdon, Taverham and Horsford:

Pregnancy

The impact of pregnancy on gum health could be far more profound than first thought, with gingivitis being ‘almost universal’ in mums-to-be.

Health experts say women are likely to have their highest levels of gingival (gum) inflammation during pregnancy however, with proper education and oral hygiene, pregnancy gingivitis can be effectively managed.

Cost of caries

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), tooth decay and oral diseases rank fourth among the most expensive global health conditions to treat (WHO, 2016). Each week millions of patients worldwide use private and public dental services, costing the world economy billions every year.

Tooth decay remains one of the most preventable oral diseases and yet still affects between 60% and 90% of schoolchildren and nearly all adults globally.

Treating caries stresses the need for new and innovative ways to reduce the burden of oral diseases on societies. Limiting our intake of sugar and taking a hard look at the sugar content of our food would be a great place to start.

Breast cancer

New research has discovered that women who suffer from severe gum disease are up to three times more likely to develop breast cancer.

The study, published in the journal of Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, involved more than 200 women, separated into two groups - those who had been diagnosed with breast cancer and those who had no history or signs of the disease.

Findings showed those who suffered from periodontitis (severe gum disease), had two to three times higher odds of developing breast cancer.

If you would like to improve your gum health in 2018, contact Drayton Dental Care in School Road. Regular dental and hygiene visits are one of the best ways to achieve and maintain a healthy mouth.

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