New Jersey Cosmetic Dentist Thomas Streko: The Mouth Body Connection
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by: MattCBA
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What does your mouth say about you? You might be surprised. Your dental health doesn’t just provide clues to how well you take care of your teeth. It can also alert your dentist to other problems going on inside your body that might seem, on the surface, to have absolutely nothing to do with your teeth and gums. We call this link the “mouth-body connection” – and thanks to modern dental science, it’s fast evolving into a major diagnostic tool.
The condition of your teeth and gums can offer a lot of insight into what’s going on in the rest of your body. For example, if you visit your dentist’s office complaining of bleeding gums or infections, your symptoms could be an indication of more than just periodontal disease. If could indicate diabetes. Since diabetes reduces your body’s ability to fight infection, infections in your mouth could be the first sign of a more serious underlying condition.
And the mouth-body connection is just as important when it’s reversed. Just as oral infections may be a sign of diabetes, the difficulty fighting infection associated with diabetes also makes controlling periodontal disease that much more difficult. This is where your partnership with your dentist can be especially important. He or she can help you manage bacteria levels in your mouth, which will in turn keep the rest of your body stronger.
Another possible mouth-body connection may link gingivitis with heart disease – at least according to the American Heart Association. While they aren’t sure exactly how or why it happens, they have seen that people who suffer from gum disease have a greater chance of developing heart disease. Which makes proper dental care that much more important.
If your teeth are becoming loose or falling out, gum disease may not be the only culprit. Dentists are now discovering that the degenerative disease osteoporosis, which causes bone loss, can also affect your jawbone. In fact, women with osteoporosis are three times more likely to lose teeth than women with healthy bones.
In fact, women are more likely than men to suffer from dental problems simply because they’re female – the hormonal fluctuations associated with puberty, pregnancy and menopause make women that much more susceptible to gum disease – because high hormone levels appear to make the body more sensitive to bacteria. This is especially important to know because women with periodontal disease are more likely to experience premature birth, and their babies more likely to suffer from low birth weight.
So what does this all mean for you, as a patient? The most important thing to remember is that a healthy mouth is part of a healthy body – and when one suffers, the other is likely to as well. Conversely, by sticking to a regimen of proper dental care, you’re not only insuring your dental health, but making sure your entire body stays healthy as well.
Westfield, New Jersey cosmetic dentist Dr. Thomas Streko can help you maintain your optimal dental and overall health, and perform the cosmetic treatments to help create your perfect smile. Find out more about Dr. Streko’s practice at www.drstreko.com or call his office at 866-512-7885.
About the Author
About Dr. Thomas Streko, D.M.D.: Dr. Thomas Streko has been practicing general and cosmetic dentistry for more than 20 years in New Jersey, and is committed to remaining on the leading edge of dental technologies and treatment. General and Cosmetic Dentistry Education and Training: Dr. Thomas Streko received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University and went on to receive his D.M.D. from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 1978. After graduation, Dr. Streko completed a three-year residency in the U.S. Public Health Service at the National Institute of Health. In 1991, Dr. Streko became an accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry – a distinguished honor bestowed on those who have completed more than 200 hours of cosmetic dentistry continuing education. He has also presented numerous cosmetic treatment cases throughout Union County, New Jersey, including photographic documentation, and passed rigorous oral and written examinations given by the academy’s board. The program is extensive, and there are only a handful of accredited members in New Jersey. Dr. Thomas Streko is presently working toward his fellowship in the academy. Once achieved, he will be the only dentist in the entire state of New Jersey to attain fellowship status with the academy. He is also a member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the New Jersey Dental Association. Continuing Education and Community Involvement: Dr. Thomas Streko remains on the leading edge of dental treatment and technology by taking 100 hours of continuing education each year. He also shares his depth of experience with others, teaching cosmetic dentistry to dental interns at Overlook Hospital in Union County, New Jersey. In addition, he is the program coordinator for the New Jersey division of Give Back a Smile. The program, sponsored by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, provides free dental treatment to battered women. To learn more about New Jersey cosmetic dentistry and Dr. Thomas Streko, please visit http://www.DrStreko.com
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