This article clearly shows the importance of seeing your hygienist every six month and have your teeth cleaned.
from WebMD
Taking care of your teeth and gums may not only save your smile, it could save your life. A new study suggests a common form of gum disease may significantly raise the risk of head and neck cancer. Researchers found that people diagnosed with head and neck cancers were much more likely to have chronic periodontitis than people without cancer. Periodontitis is advanced gum disease that leads to progressive loss of bone and soft tissue that surround the teeth. More…
Together we fight oral cancer. Together we save a life every hour.
People need to understand that the mouth is more than “just teeth”. As a member of the dental health community, I am amazed how little people associate their oral health with overall health. Efforts to educate our patients often go ignored because many do not think we are serious. For so long, care of the mouth has been limited to “just the teeth”. Only now is the entire medical community beginning to help educate patients about the fact that their mouth is a vital part of their entire body. I congratulate all medical associations who are encouraging patients to take care of their mouths as they are taking care of the rest of their bodies. So many patients will discontinue routine care when they lose dental insurance yet will find a way to pay for other screenings. Somewhere along the way they missed the lessons on how important professional cleanings are. I believe many people place their dental cleaning in the same category as a manicure, considering it a cosmetic luxury. I beg everyone out there to get to their dentist for routine care where they also get a head and neck cancer screening. If your dentist doesn’t do this type of screening, ask them to start. Your life may depend on it!