The state of your oral health influences your general health.

We recommend preventive dental checkups and cleaning at least twice a year, if not more, depending on your particular needs. Routine exams and annual x-rays protect you against tooth decay, periodontal disease and oral cancers.

How Many Dental Exams?

While insurance companies usually pay for 2 visits, your insurance coverage should not determine your healthcare needs. There are connections being made between oral health and systemic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and now, Alzheimer’s disease. Diabetes sufferers cannot fight bacteria well, so they are prone to having gum disease, the leading cause of tooth loss. Besides tooth decay and gum disease, we can identify early signs of oral cancer, deterioration in fillings and crowns, and hairline tooth fractures.

Your Oral Health

Poor oral health—particularly in seniors—can also result in serious consequences.  The bacteria from the mouth may enter your bloodstream, resulting in endocarditis, an infection of the heart valves and parts of the inside lining of the heart muscle. While uncommon, this condition can be very serious.

People taking medications for their heart or blood pressure also need to be wary of tooth decay and gum disease, as some treatments cause dry mouth; less saliva in the mouth means less protection.

Also, in a new study, researchers have found that a bacterium largely responsible for gum disease also contributes to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

A bacterium involved in gum disease boosts Alzheimer’s toxicity.

According to data from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 8.52 percent of adults between 20 and 64 years of age in the United States have periodontitis (gum disease).

“A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools,” says an old Spanish proverb.

Schedule dental visits for you and your family today by calling The Right Smile Center in Sandy Springs at 404-256-3620 or in Chamblee at 770-455-6076. Our dental offices are conveniently located on Carpenter Drive in Sandy Springs and Chamblee Dunwoody Road in Chamblee, where  we serve patients from Sandy Springs, Chamblee, Brookhaven, Roswell, Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Buckhead, Marietta, East Cobb and surrounding communities. We welcome new patients and will be happy to answer all of your questions over the phone or in person. Our dentists and team look forward to making you, and your loved ones, smile!