Saliva is the body's natural defense for the oral cavity. It plays a key role in lubrication and demineralization stages throughout the day. Studies have shown that saliva testing at dental appointments proves to be helpful in diagnosing periodontal disease as well as many other diseases before they may initially start. Taking good care of your mouth, teeth and gums is a worthy goal in itself. Good oral hygiene and dental hygiene can help prevent a wide array of oral problems such as bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease. Researchers are giving you another reason to brush and floss regularly. A healthy mouth can help you fight off medical disorders such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes and more. The case for good oral hygiene keeps getting stronger, and if you understand the importance of oral health, you can recognize the connection to your overall health. What is in Your Mouth Can Reveal a lot about your Overall Health Your mouth is like a window to the rest of your body. It often serves as a helpful standpoint for detecting early signs and symptoms of several systemic diseases. Diabetes or AIDS are often first discovered through the mouth and, according to the Academy of General Dentistry, more than 90 percent of all systemic diseases produce oral signs and symptoms. Your dentist can collect and test saliva to search for a variety of saliva and other issues. Saliva testing includes various tests such as: Hydration testing to measure salivary production Salivary consistency which visually assesses the viscosity of unstimulated saliva Resting saliva pH measures the pH of unstimulated saliva Stimulated saliva flow testing measures the quantity of saliva produced in five minutes while chewing an unflavored piece of wax Stimulated saliva pH testing measures the pH of saliva produced under masticatory stimulus Saliva buffering capacity testing measures the ability of saliva to minimize an acid challenge With the importance of saliva, these tests offer a way to demonstrate any salivary dysfunction in your mouth and helps in finding factors affecting your saliva. Testing Saliva Can Assist in Diagnosis and Preventive Treatment Saliva testing offers improved preventive treatments for your oral health and can correct problems before damage may occur. It is always important to diagnose and catch various problems prior to actual development, to account for better oral health and saliva testing helps your dentist do just that. The availability and quickness of the test improves patient communication and motivation. Understanding your saliva characteristics can give the dentist valuable information to determine treatment choices and strategies. Additionally, saliva testing is a tool that can be used to educate you on oral health and assist in prevention, initiating changes in your oral hygiene. With the successful use of saliva testing, your dentist may be able to help diagnose oral diseases early on. For more information on oral cancer and how saliva testing can help prevent diseases by early diagnosis, visit your local Grosse Pointe dentist. It is important to visit your dentist for routine cleanings and check-ups in addition to maintaining good oral hygiene at home. At the first onset of any changes or pain, it is vital you consult your dentist immediately and get screened for potential problems and diseases. Your oral health directly affects your overall health.
Please Rate this Article 5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5
Not yet Rated
