Dental hygienists work toward your overall good health

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(NC)— Research shows there is a direct link between oral health and your overall well-being. In fact, did you know that hidden problems throughout the body can often be detected in your mouth first?

Periodontal disease, a disease of the gums and supporting bone, has been linked to a number of serious illnesses including lung disease, diabetes and heart disease.

Dental hygienists are a solution and a partner, specialists in this field say. Whether working in a dental office, a clinic, a hospital, a retirement home, or in the community, a dental hygienist is a licensed oral health-care professional who is there every step of the way to help ensure your good oral and overall health.

What does a dental hygienist do? Each one is a registered and certified health professional who specializes in preventing oral health problems and diseases. They work with individual clients or communities to prevent tooth, gum and mouth diseases and related injuries that can affect overall health. Dental hygiene services are provided to individuals of all ages from parents in prenatal classes to the elderly in long-term care centres.

How do you find one? A dental hygienist works in a variety of settings, including dental offices, public health units and seniors facilities. The simplest way to find one is through your local dental office; however, there are increasingly more dental hygienists that own and operate their own independent practices. More information can be obtained through the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association at 1-800-267-5235.

Additional tips and information on oral care is available online at www.cdha.ca .

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