The theory that oral health is connected to overall health is not new - two centuries ago, Hippocrates had already made the association. Today, the Academy of General Dentistry has determined that more than 90% of all systemic diseases produce oral signs and symptoms. We now see dental care professionals playing a key role in screening for conditions such as cancer, hypertension, diabetes, leukemia, osteoporosis, and autoimmune diseases.

And then there are the “oral-specific” conditions, such as oral cancer. 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each year – and nearly 8,000 die of the disease during a twelve-month period.

What’s it all mean? Those twice-yearly visits to the dentist we thought were just to check for cavities, might someday save your life …

And don’t forget eye care! An eye exam will do more than just tell you how well you see. An eye care professional can also often detect major medical problems in the early stages of development, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in America – and you won’t even know you have it unless you see an eye care professional to check for the disease.

You never know

Recently, the former Head Coach of the University of Miami Hurricanes football team, Butch Davis, was diagnosed with cancer through a regularly-scheduled dental exam. The 55-year-old coach said he wasn't even aware he had a growth when he saw his dentist for a routine cleaning. After the growth was removed, a biopsy diagnosed it as non-Hodgkins lymphoma. It was caught in time and he’s doing well – thanks in part to his dentist.