The Dentist is in . . .
Keep Your Smile Healthy, and Your Body May Follow

CAPT Robert Mitton, USN, DDS, MPH, MBA
Chief, Dental Care Branch
TRICARE Management Activity

With an extensive dentist network and comprehensive benefit package at their fingertips, TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) enrollees have greater access to oral health care than many Americans. But access to dental care doesn't always translate into increased usage of available care or a better understanding of dental health.

Contrary to what you may see on television commercials or in print ads, good oral health means much more than having fresh breath, white teeth or a pretty smile. It also means understanding the relationship between your oral health and overall health. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, in most cases, the condition of a person's mouth mirrors the condition of the person's body as a whole.

A recent National Smile Month survey conducted by Harris Interactive for Oral Health America (www.oralhealthamerica.org) found that more than eight out of 10 adults in the United States don't know the role that infectious bacteria play in causing cavities. Additionally, recent reports suggest that oral bacteria, poor oral hygiene and gum disease may also be linked to more serious conditions like oral cancer, heart disease, stroke and the birth of underweight, premature babies.

Infectious oral bacteria can also lead to oral and facial pain, tooth loss and, for some, a decreased quality of life. And as many as seven out of 10 people are affected by some form of gum disease.

Oral examinations not only identify dental disease but can help to identify several health conditions not normally associated with the mouth. Symptoms such as bleeding or swollen gums, dry mouth and mouth ulcers can be early indicators of cancer, diabetes, heart or kidney disease, and leukemia.

Visiting your dentist regularly is vital to achieving good oral health, and oral health is an integral component of overall health. Regular dental examinations also keep you aware of your overall health status, which may lead you to take better care of yourself. For example, this time of year you may want to get the flu vaccine, which TRICARE covers based on the recently updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines (www.cdc.gov/flu). Being aware of your health status and TRICARE-covered preventive services will help ensure good overall health.

To learn more about good oral health habits and hygiene, check out the American Dental Association's oral health articles at www.TRICAREdentalprogram.com under the Dental Health tab. You'll be glad you did.