If Your Teeth Could Talk…
December 27th, 2011The Mouth Offers Clues to Disorders and Disease; Dentists Could Play Larger Role in Patient Care
WALL STREET JOURNAL | HEALTH JOURNAL
By MELINDA BECK
The eyes may be the window to the soul, but the mouth provides an even better view of the body as a whole.
Some of the earliest signs of diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, immune disorders, hormone imbalances and drug issues show up in the gums, teeth and tongue—sometimes long before a patient knows anything is wrong.
There’s also growing evidence that oral health problems, particularly gum disease, can harm a patient’s general health as well, raising the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, pneumonia and pregnancy complications.
“We have lots of data showing a direct correlation between inflammation in the mouth and inflammation in the body,” says Anthony Iacopino, director of the International Centre for Oral-Systemic Health, which opened at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry in Canada in 2008. Recent studies also show that treating gum disease improves circulation, reduces inflammation and can even reduce the need for insulin in people with diabetes.
Such findings are fueling a push for dentists to play a greater role in patients’ overall health. Some 20 million Americans—including 6% of children and 9% of adults—saw a dentist but not a doctor in 2008, according to a study in the American Journal of Public Health this month.
Read the complete Wall Street Journal article (December 27, 2011)
Halloween Candy Exchange A Big Success!
December 9th, 2011On November 5th, Healthy Teeth Happy Babies and the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation sponsored a candy exchange in partnership with Chick-fil-A and Denver radio station 95.7 The Party. The event inspired nearly 30 families to exchange over 100lbs. of candy and take action to improve their dental health.
Throughout October, the event was promoted by DJ Issa Lopez on radio broadcasts, websites and using social media. Great prizes helped to motivate families and included movie tickets, coupons for free Chick-fil-A, DVDs and other giveaways from the radio station. The grand prize was a Nintendo 3DS game system.
Families brought in bags of Halloween candy ranging from three to 13lbs. As candy was weighed and exchanged, participants received oral health info and tips from Delta Dental of Colorado representatives. All of the exchanged Halloween candy was sent to troops overseas through Operation Gratitude.
The candy exchange was a great opportunity to interact directly with parents and children. Through these types of community events, we are able to make real progress toward eradicating dental disease in Colorado’s children.
Halloween Candy Exchange on Saturday, Nov. 5
November 2nd, 2011Grand prize is a Nintendo 3DS, plus other great prizes!
Now that Halloween is over, exchange your candy for free Chick-fil-A® and chances to win fabulous prizes from 95.7 The Party and the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation.
Issa Lopez will be broadcasting on 95.7 from the event and trading great prizes for Halloween candy. Take charge of your family’s dental health and prevent cavities – the most common chronic childhood disease in the U.S.!
How it works
The child that brings in the most candy will win the grand prize Nintendo 3DS with two games! Everyone that exchanges one pound of candy or more will receive a coupon for a free Chick-fil-A® Nuggets or Chicken Biscuit and will be entered to win other great prizes.
When and where
Saturday, November 5
9a.m. – 11 a.m.
Chick-fil-A® (104th Ave & Federal Blvd)
10280 Federal Blvd
Federal Heights, CO 80260
What happens to all that candy?
The Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation will donate all of the candy from this event to U.S. military troops stationed abroad through Operation Gratitude.
Thank you for your support and we hope to see you this Saturday. Don’t forget these simple steps for preventing cavities and a lifetime of happy, healthy Halloweens!
