Members learned about the surprising connection poor oral health has on the body
At their monthly meeting in August, members of the Golden Triangle Kiwanis Club learned how closely oral health and overall health are tied together. Dr. Chuck Reinertsen, a retired dentist and founder of The Dental Medical Convergence, walked the club through the surprising connections, from everyday dental hygiene to the research now emerging on oral health and heart disease. Talks like these help educate families and the medical community about why the mouth deserves a place in whole-body care.
Over the last few decades, more research and information have been released on oral health’s role in a person’s well-being.
According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, “a growing body of evidence has linked oral health, particularly periodontal (gum) disease, to several chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.In pregnant women, poor oral health has also been associated with premature births and low birth weight.”
This research is why Dr. Chuck started the nonprofit The Dental Medical Convergence. We believe dentists, physicians, and patients need to share more information that can help people see the connection between oral care and their overall health. In 2023, 65.5% of adults age 18 and older had a dental exam or cleaning in the past year, according to the CDC. That still leaves roughly one in three adults without a recent dental visit, and every visit is a chance to catch a health issue early.
Preventing diseases can start with proper oral care and other healthy habits. We recommend you spend 7-10 minutes once a day cleaning your teeth and gums.
If you combine this with regular dental visits, you’re doing a great job at preventing oral health problems. Prevention saves you time and money at the dentist and doctor.
We appreciate the Golden Triangle Kiwanis Club letting us share this health information with its members. We’re looking forward to visiting the club again in October to spread the message to other Kiwanis chapters.
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Community groups everywhere deserve this information. Request a presentation and bring the oral-systemic message to your organization.
