Dental health — it’s more than just your teeth

Open wide and say “aha”

Your dental health is a vital component of overall well-being, but it's not just about the health of your teeth. You could say that your mouth is like nature's mirror, reflecting health issues and ailments occurring throughout your body. Did you know:

• Your dentist can detect more than 120 diseases during a routine exam. One check of your gums, oral X-rays and breath can tip off signs of diabetes, anemia, stroke risks and more.
  >> Learn more about what your mouth says about your health.
  Flyer is available in Spanish as well.


• If you suffer from chronic bad breath, you could have halitosis. Your dentist can help you find the cause of the problem and treat it.
  >> Learn more about managing bad breath.
  Flyer is available in Spanish as well.


• Periodontal disease can wreck havoc on your teeth and gums, but is also related to health problems such as heart disease, premature birth, respiratory conditions and rheumatoid arthritis.
  >> Learn more about preventing and treating gum disease.
  Flyer is available in Spanish as well.

Talk with your dentist if you have any questions or concerns about your teeth, gums or breath. Regular visits — usually two per year — are key to achieving and maintaining dental health.

For more information on these topics, and other health-related topics and tools, visit myoptumhealth.com.

myOptumHealth offers visitors reliable medical information that is easy to read and understand. You have access to a broad spectrum of health and wellness topics for people at all stages of life, with a focus on health maintenance and disease prevention.