NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The dentists at Manhattan Dental Health want more people to understand that a visit to the dentist can improve their overall health and even save their lives. That’s because there is a strong connection with chronic oral infections due to periodontal (gum) disease and the overall health of the body. It’s called the oral systemic connection.
“I went to dental school specifically to focus on overall health and how the condition of the mouth is connected to the general health of the patient,” explains Dr. Michael Goldberg, a dentist at Manhattan Dental Health. “This oral systemic connection isn’t fully appreciated by the dental community, and most dentists are not taking the time to explain the connection to their patients.”
More than 60 million Americans suffer from gum disease, a chronic bacterial infection that breaks down gum tissue, allowing bacteria to enter the blood stream. Once bacteria enter the blood stream through the gums, it has an inflammatory effect throughout the body that can make pre-existing medical conditions worse.
Dr. Goldberg wants his patients to understand that dentistry is an important sub-specialty of medicine. Studies have connected poor oral health to cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis. Poor oral health also increases the risk of preterm births.
“Poor oral health is also connected to headaches and migraines,” explains Dr. Golberg. “Instead of treating symptomatic headaches with drugs, we want to treat the root cause of headaches that can be traced to the mouth.”
There are also other chronic conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux, connected to oral health. Stomach acid that reaches the mouth can erode tooth enamel and cause teeth sensitivity. However, most people don’t know that by properly chewing their food they can help reduce stomach acid and acid reflux.
Manhattan Dental Health offers comprehensive dental services in a relaxing environment. Services include general dentistry, heart-healthy dentistry, same-day crowns, dental implants, orthodontics, tooth restoration, and tooth whitening.
To learn more about the oral systemic connection or to schedule a complimentary smile analysis, visit ManhattanDentalHealth.com.