Oral Cancer Screenings – May Be Lifesaving
Did you know that oral cance r afflicts an estimated 30,000 Americans every year? When found early, oral cancer has an 80-90% cure rate. Unfortunately, most oral cancers are not found until too late, at which time the treatment success rate is much lower.
A quick and painless oral cancer screening can be more than just a good idea. That's why Dr. Kaludy took it upon himself to offer an oral cancer screening test, and why he always includes an oral cancer screening for all his patients.
Heart Disease and Blood Pressure Screening
More and more, the medical community is finding a link between good oral health and overall health. In a study published in Circulation, after comparing the oral health of 256 adult heart patients with that of 250 others with no heart disease, researchers did some math. Their calculations showed that the strongest predictor of heart disease was pericoronitis, a gum infection around the molars, usually the third molars or wisdom teeth; followed by root remnants, in which teeth decay to the point that only the tip of the root remains; gingivitis, an inflammation of gums around the teeth due to improper cleaning; cavities; and missing teeth. It seems that bacteria often found in the mouth can appear as the same atherosclerotic plaque associated with cardiovascular disease.
In our practice, we take and record your blood pressure with every visit. Tracking the levels of your blood pressure, in addition to identification and treatment of gum disease, can be an important part of understanding and improving your overall state of physical health.
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