Survey: Baby boomers miss links between oral and overall health.(Brief Article)

2002 AUG 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Baby boomers looking for the warning signs of adult-onset diseases may be overlooking key symptoms in their mouth that should signal alarms about their overall health.

According to a survey commissioned by the Academy of General Dentistry, 63% of baby boomers (ages 45-64) with an oral symptom considered to be a key indicator of a more serious health condition were unaware of the symptom's link to the condition. Boomers' failure to recognize that oral health holds valuable clues could negatively impact their overall health.

The risk of developing type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and heart disease increases with age. Researchers believe that these diseases often manifest themselves in the mouth - making dentists a key player in diagnosis.

* According to the American Diabetes Association, 90-95% of diabetics suffer from type 2 diabetes, the onset of which usually occurs after age 45. Bad breath and bleeding gums are often indicators of diabetes. However, only 29% of those boomers surveyed were aware of this connection.

* The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that 44 million Americans are at risk for osteoporosis, particularly menopausal and postmenopausal women, yet 97% of boomers do not discuss their risk of this debilitating disease with their dentist. Dental x-rays may show the first stages of bone loss.

* The American Heart Association reports heart disease is the number one killer of Americans. When people reach the age of 45, their risk of developing heart ...