Disease Prevention

When it comes to maintaining oral health, disease prevention is vital and dental hygienists are a good choice if you care about your overall heath. We are prevention professionals focused on preventing gum disease and tooth decay. We know that by keeping your mouth healthy, we are making an important contribution to your overall health. The mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body. Research studies have linked gum infection to other diseases in the body such as heart disease and stroke.

Gum disease and tooth loss caused from the bacteria in plaque is one of the most common human diseases. Dental plaque is infectious and if not removed by daily flossing, brushing or professional cleanings by your dental hygienist, it will start to calcify and turn into tartar. This can cause swollen and inflamed gums, pain, and if left too long, tooth loss.

If your gums bleed, the bacteria then enters the blood stream or airways and increases your chances of heart disease, stroke, respiratory diseases, and preterm or low birth weight babies. Furthermore, gum infections can make it difficult to control diabetes.

Consider these research facts

Bacteria in your mouth can cause up to 10 of community acquired pneumonia and 25 of hospital acquired pneumonia. Those with periodontal (gum) disease can have double the risk of incurring fatal heart disease and stroke than those with good oral health. While diabetes can lead to periodontal disease, 7 out of 9 diabetics who improved their oral health reduced their need for insulin.

GOOD REASONS

TO VISIT YOUR

DENTAL HYGIENIST:

  • There are more than 12,000 registered dental hygienists in Ontario.
  • As regulated health professionals, we must follow the standards of practice set by our regulatory College and meet ongoing quality assurance requirements, as do doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and nurses.
  • Dental hygienists are required to promote good oral health by assessing, planning and implementing treatments and evaluating client specific oral care needs.
  • Dental hygienists provide information and advice on matters related to your particular needs, such as nutrition, smoking cessation, and the use of home oral care products.

REGULAR VISITS TO YOUR DENTAL HYGIENIST CAN DECREASE YOUR RISK OF ORAL INFECTIONS AND PROTECT AGAINST OTHER DISEASES THROUGHOUT YOUR BODY.

Position Paper entitled Periodontal Disease as a Potential Risk Factor for Systemic Diseases, published in The American Academy of Periodontology. May 1998