Local Dentists Saving Lives Through Oral Health Testing
ORAL SCREENINGS UNCOVER EARLY SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES, STROKE, SLEEP APNEA, HEART DISEASE, ORAL CANCER AND MANY OTHER SYSTEMIC CONDITIONS
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (March 1, 2016) – At Wurzbach Parkway Family Dental, local dentists are saving lives by linking symptoms uncovered during wellness exams to diagnose conditions such as early onset of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, dementia, cancer and preterm births.
Formerly Angel’s Care Dentistry, Wurzbach Parkway Family Dental is committed to helping patients achieve their overall health and wellness that begins with a healthy mouth. “Oral health is directly related to many major diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s,” said Dr. Kevin Klenke of Wurzbach Parkway Family Dental. “This is the “Oral Systemic Link” and we are saving lives through early detection.”
The Oral Systemic Health Link shows that oral health greatly impacts overall wellness. Although genetics are factors contributing to some diseases, poor diet, lack of exercise and infection of the gums are contributors as well. The Oral Systemic Link can reveal symptoms for illnesses other than diabetes, such as pulmonary disease and kidney disease.
“We’ve seen that oral bacteria and gum disease are the most common contributing factors for these systemic diseases,” Dr. Klenke said. “For example, if you have gum disease and your gums deteriorate, bacteria enter the blood stream and puts you at risk for disease. It is being proven that poor gum health is the most common contributing factor to many major diseases.”
Dentists at Wurzbach Parkway Family Dental are screening patients for early disease indicators as part of wellness and examination visits. Dr. Klenke urged a patient to seek a follow-up appointment with his primary physician about high blood pressure discovered during a dental exam. This was the first indicator that the patient had early onset hypertension.
“I can’t thank Dr. Klenke enough for his thoughtfulness in not only professionally recognizing my health issue, but in also taking the initiative in referring me to a very competent doctor,” said one of Dr. Klenke’s patients, Bob Cowgill. “I am very grateful, and as I told him, I think he saved my life.”
Early detection and prevention are key, Wurzbach Parkway doctors say, to improving overall health and wellness. They emphasize prevention rather than simply reacting to oral concerns after they occur. Prevention includes following recommended oral care, such as brushing and flossing daily and having bi-annual wellness examinations. In fact, studies by the American Academy of Periodontology indicate that almost 1/3 of all diabetics have developed severe gum disease.
About Wurzbach Parkway Family Dental
Wurzbach Parkway Family Dental is an all-inclusive wellness dental practice focused on preventative care and early detection of disease. Previously Angel’s Care Dentistry, this dental practice and combined team has been serving the San Antonio area for over 50 years. The team of dentists includes Doctors Tracy Walters-Badillo DMD, Kevin Klenke DDS and Ken Garretson DDS. These progressive dentists set oral health goals for their patients and connect the Oral Systemic Health Link with overall wellness. The practice also provides a one-stop source for implants, sedation, crowns that can be completed in two hours, tooth-colored fillings and mouth guards for sleep apnea. Visit www.210wpfd.com or call 210.877.2273.
