Fort Frances Dental Centre underscores the importance of oral health
According to Sarah Wreggitt, Dental Hygienist and Office Manager of Fort Frances Dental Centre, the importance of dental procedures, check-ups and cleanings is not only related to oral health. Moreover, she explained the link between oral health and heart disease, stroke, and respiratory illness. So, Wreggitt explained why oral health is so important to the Fort Frances Times.
“[The link] between oral health and overall health is something that gets overlooked quite often,” said Wreggit. “People just think it’s just their teeth and they’re not that important. But there’s a really strong connection between your oral health and your overall health.”
“There’s a connection between heart disease, stroke, respiratory disorders, diabetes and premature or low birth weight babies,” said Wreggitt. “Some respiratory infections are caused by inhaling micro-organisms from the mouth and throat into the lungs. When these micro-organisms reach the lower respiratory tract, they can cause infection or worsen an existing lung infection, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.”
But, the risks associated with poor oral health don’t stop there.
“A national study of Canadians between ages of 36 and 69 found that those with severe gum disease had between three to seven times the risk of fatal coronary heart disease,” said Wreggitt. “They also found that those with cavities and gum disease suffered strokes twice as often as those with good oral health.”
Moreover, Wreggit suggested the Canadian Academy of Periodontology has found evidence to suggest “diabetes and smoking are so strongly related to periodontal health.”
“[The Canadian Academy of Periodontology has] done research that found diabetes and smoking are so strongly related to your periodontal health,” said Wreggitt. Adding, “Half of that’s based on whether you’re a smoker and whether you’re diabetic.”
Wreggitt also explained the background of former classifications of periodontal disease.
“Before, we used to just classify it as slight, moderate, severe, that kind of thing. But now it’s staged and graded with, you know, stages one to three and grades A to B,” said Wreggitt. “That’s half of the classification we use now for classifying periodontal disease.”
While oral health can influence overall health, it’s not only a one way street.
“Your overall health can affect your oral health as well,” suggested Wreggitt. “So, if you’re diabetic, it’s really important to control that.” Adding, “It’s important to manage that and control that so that it doesn’t affect your periodontal health. Also, smoking is huge. So I think when we think of smoking, you tend to think of lung cancer. That’s the first thing that comes to mind. But it can also cause oral cancer, and certainly can cause tooth loss.”
So, Wreggitt suggests visiting the entist a minimum of twice a year to help monitor and treat oral health.
“With regular professional scaling from dental hygienists, that will help control the bacteria that cause gum disease and tooth decay,” said Wreggitt. “Basically, by keeping your mouth clean and keeping those micro-organisms out of your mouth, that can help prevent gum disease and tooth decay.” Adding, “Visiting your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings can control the microorganisms that lead to these bigger issues.”
Fort Frances Dental Centre and their sister branch, Emo Dental Clinic, accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan for children under 18, people over 65, and those on disability.
