Mouth provides insight into over 55’s health
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) says that research indicates that taking a look inside your mouth can provide a snapshot of the overall health of your body, especially for those aged over 55 years.
Recent findings suggest that addressing oral health issues can prevent illness, assist the early diagnosis of serious conditions and maintain optimum overall health.
Dr Neil Hewson, president of the ADA, says indicators for a range of serious diseases that particularly confront those over 55 (but can be applicable to us all) such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, oral cancers and even Alzheimer’s and Hodgkin’s disease, can often be detected by careful professional examination of a patient’s mouth.
As Australians get older, they have an increased susceptibility to some common illnesses and early diagnosis of these can prevent some serious consequences.
“Dentists are in a position to look out for symptoms that present within the mouth, which might indicate that a patient may be at risk of a range of different health conditions,” says Dr Hewson.
As part of Dental Health Week (3-9 August) and its focus on those over 55, the ADA has developed an easy self check test via the ADA website, which can assist in the detection of these conditions.
For more information on oral health management for those 55 plus, and to take the ADA’s online self-check test, visit http://www.ada.org.au
