The fact that the oral cavity is the gateway to health is obvious. In order to be physically healthy, one must be able to efficiently chew. This initial breakdown of food and the enzymes produced in saliva begins the digestive process. In addition, the way that the teeth and the gums look can impact on one’s emotional health.
However, many people have difficulty or are even afraid of getting dental examinations and receiving dental scalings and prophylaxis (cleanings) of the teeth and gums. Some patients complain about the probing of their teeth and gums with an explorer and periodontal probe. Others are displeased about the dentist tapping on their teeth to check their mobility or stability.
Still others, especially those whose teeth are sensitive, hate having cold air blown onto their teeth. Patients who have had rheumatic fever or heart valve damage may be hesitant to take large doses of pre-treatment antibiotics. And of course, many patients are afraid to be exposed to the radiation of dental X-Rays.
Universally, the one thing that people most fear is that problems, including decay or gum disease, will be discovered and treatment will be necessary.
All of the above considerations may be true, and certainly they are reasons that one may want to avoid being examined. However I implore all of you to go beyond that questioning and apprehension, because it is not only the common tooth and gum diseses that dentists are looking for, but also other more serious conditions such as oral, maxillofacial and neck cancer.
Holistic dentists and physicians, in particular, believe that the body is one, that each cell, tissue and organ is connected , and that the general health of one is reflective in another. You cannot treat one part of the body without in some way affecting the organism as a whole. Systemic diseases may manifest themselves by signs or symptoms in various organs. For example, one common sign of Hepatitis of the liver is a yellowing of the eyes.
Since the oral cavity is so easy to see and examine, it is a perfect barometer of the health of the body. Often times, a simple examination of the oral cavity can reveal hidden abnormalites, systemic diseases and life-threatening conditions. In that same patient with Hepatitis, the excess bilirubin may accumulate in the teeth, thereby staining them black or gray.
There is also a relationship between systemic diseases such as Arthritis and Diabetes, and oral and dental diseases. Diabetics can have an acetone odor of their breath, a dry mouth, and are more susceptible to periodontal (gum and bone) disease that appears as swollen and bleeding gums, and loose teeth.
Scurvey, a disease whose symptoms present as swollen, bleeding gums, is virtually non-existent today. Once, a common disease of sailors at sea, the discovery that the addition of limes (containing vitamin C) to their diets virtually eliminated the condition. Thus the term, Limeys, referring to English sailors, became part of the language.
The persistent disease, Herpes Simplex, may be diagnosed by a dentist, because it periodically appears as canker sores on the lips.
During the formation of the teeth, high fevers and drugs such as the antibiotic Tetracycline, can result in irregular or pitted tooth structure or can stain the teeth white, brown, or yellow. Excess Fluoride can also stain the teeth.
Hereditary diseases such as Amelogenesis Imperfecta or Dentinogenesis Imperfecta can also form weakened and malformed enamel or dentin and therefore make the teeth more susceptible to decay.
The signs and symptoms of oral disease are very obvious. Halitosis, (bad breath), swollen and bleeding gums, pain, loose teeth are just a few of the signs and symptoms that can indicate problems that need to be addressed. Teeth are the hardest structure in the human body, yet through improper care and improper diet, tooth enamel can be reduced to the consistency of wet matzoh (unleavened bread).
Less obvious are the related internal diseases that may not be discovered until more severe symptoms occur or X rays or surgery reveals the problem. Tooth decay and periodontal disease reflect the breakdown of the whole body. This demise can be slowed down through lifestyle changes, good nutrition and proper home care. A healthy oral cavity, which includes the ability to properly chew foods can go a long way to improving the one’s health.