Open wide! – Your mouth can tell a lot about your body’s health. It is a window into many health issues throughout the body.

More than 3 out of 4 American adults suffer from various forms of periodontal (gum) disease and many don’t know it. This is concerning because infections can be caused by periodontal bacteria entering the bloodstream and travel to major organs.

Some of the risks include:

  • Heart disease, the nation’s leading cause of death. Studies have shown links between cardiovascular disease and key bacteria in periodontal disease.
  • A 4.3 times greater chance of stroke than those with mild or no periodontal disease.
  • Diabetes, approximately 95% of Americans with diabetes also have periodontal disease.
  • A sevenfold increase in the risk of pregnant woman delivering preterm, low birth weight babies.

A significant percentage of people will not visit a physician for medical care during the year. However, many will see a dentist.

What if by visiting the dentist employees are made aware of potential health risks? How might catching these potential health problems early affect absenteeism, employee overall health, and employee satisfaction with their benefit package?