Recently, local and national media seem to cover dentistry more. Maybe it’s the influence of the Extreme Makeover craze; maybe it’s all the new findings that link oral health to overall health. Whatever the cause, awareness seems to be increasing. From the local newspaper to World News and Weekly Report to Reader’s Digest, dentistry is a hot topic.
Here are just a few of the startling facts that you already know:
- Oral cancer kills 7500 people annually, and early detection offers an 80% cure rate.
- Periodontal disease affects one in two Americans, and it is linked to a long list of oral health problems, including stroke, heart disease, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, respiratory problems, diabetes complications, and low birth weight.
- People without teeth, which includes three out of every ten Americans over 65, do not live as long as those with healthy, functioning teeth, according to statistics.
- Serious dental infections can grow quickly and cause unprecedented damage or death.
- With simple tests, dentists can detect a host of diseases in the earliest stages. These include diabetes and many types of cancer.
As a dentist, you play a lifesaving role in your patients’ lives. Learn more in the following articles…
SOURCE & Resources:
Reader’s Digest “How Your Dentist Can Save Your Life”
World News and Weekly Report “Taking the Bite Out of the Cost of Dental Work”
Dallas Morning News “Some Mouths are More Prone to Dental Problems”