Visiting the Dentist can Help Detect Early Signs of Disease
Early Disease Detection
The science is in and the facts are SCARY. With a population living longer and keeping their teeth longer, there is a growing clear correlation between systemic disease and dental disease.
Systemic issues which arise from periodontal (gum) health can include:
- Alzheimer’s/Dimentia
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Cancer
- Erectile Dysfunction
Periodontal disease
Some of the most aggressive and dangerous bacteria in our bodies are found in our mouths and EVERY person has a different type/levels present. Living attached to tooth structure and below the gum level, these bacteria enter the bloodstream whenever you brush/floss and trigger massive inflammation which leads to disease.
At Renumi we take our patients periodontal health very seriously. We utilize Oral DNA testing to see exactly which bacteria are causing your periodontal issues. This allows our practitioners to be very SPECIFIC in which antibiotics/therapies directly target your disease-causing bacteria. Essentially, we can kill the disease-causing bacteria specifically as opposed to current Dental treatments which kill both good and bad bacteria.
Oral Cancer and HPV
Like all cancer, early detection is critical. In the past oral cancer was only linked to tobacco and alcohol use. Now there is a growing trend of HPV (human papilloma virus) related oral/throat cancers. With over 400,000 new cases of oral cancer per year and a 5-year survival rate of only 50%, screening for oral cancer is simple and necessary. For this reason, our practitioners pride themselves on thorough examinations of all head/neck tissues during your initial assessment.
Through the use of oral Cdx testing (link) of suspicious lesions and HPV salivary testing, we use non-invasive diagnostics to assess the risk and presence of oral cancer. This allows patients to begin any recommended early interventions during the asymptomatic/most treatable stages of the disease.
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ/TMD)
Temporomandibular Joint and muscle disorders, commonly called “TMJ” is a group of conditions that cause pain in the jaw joint and muscles that allow jaw movement.
Over 10 million Americans are affected, more commonly women than men.
Our doctors are trained in diagnosing and treating this very frustrating and painful issue. Through the use of custom fabricated occlusal guards, at home physical therapy exercises and neuromuscular trigger point injections, we have had outstanding results.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts while sleeping. Over time there are serious effects on the body including Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure/cardiovascular disease, chronic daytime fatigue, liver problems etc.
Dentists are often the first medical professionals to identify patients with sleep apnea or at high risk for development of it. Through our screening checklist, we are able to identify your risk and take the next steps to diagnose and begin to treat the issue before your health or quality of life is adversely affected. Often times these non-invasive treatments cause massive improvements in the overall physical and emotional health of sufferers.