By GUS MANOCCHIA, MD

The new paradigm in health and healthcare continues to move from treating existing disease to proactively promoting wellness. This leads to better quality of life overall, better outcomes when you are ill, and ultimately cost savings across the healthcare system.

There are hundreds of small decisions we can make to improve our overall health – from taking the stairs instead of the elevator to swapping fast-food lunches for salads. But even as these healthier choices become more mainstream, there’s one connection many of us still miss: our dental health.

We think so much about the health impacts of what goes into our mouths, but what about our teeth and gums? Research shows that there is a strong connection between oral disease and other physical ailments. Preventive care isn’t just limited to our bodies – a strong dental hygiene regimen and regular cleanings and check-ups can have a much deeper impact than just your smile.

Bacteria in the mouth can lead to gum disease, which in turn can lead to a dental infection. If these infections enter the bloodstream, they’re connected to a host of health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and even premature birth. Since 47 percent of American adults suffer from periodontal disease at any given time, the risk is real.

It may not seem obvious, but there is also a strong connection between primary care physicians (PCPs) and dentists – at least, there should be. Many medical conditions, including diabetes and heart disease, can be linked with dental disease. In fact, it is as important for diabetics to receive regular dental check-ups as it is to receive regular eye exams. And while plaque on our teeth isn’t the same as plaque in our arteries, both can have a serious negative impact. Symptoms spotted on an oral exam can uncover deeper medical problems (like the potential link between excessively bleeding gums and diabetes), or highlight broader risk areas for a patient to monitor.

Dentists can help to identify medical problems and encourage patients to follow up with their PCP, but PCPs should also be pushing their patients to receive regular dental exams and cleanings. When dentists are a part of our broader healthcare “team”, they can spot issues earlier and even prevent some problems before they start.

A long-term study from United Concordia Dental shows that regular dental treatment and maintenance has a major impact on patients with diabetes, cerebral vascular disease (stroke) and coronary heart disease. Over a five-year period, hospital admissions decreased significantly for patients with chronic illness who received regular preventive dental care.

Admissions were down 39.4 percent for diabetes patients, 28.6 percent for patients with heart disease, and 21.6 percent for stroke patients.

Annual medical costs also decreased dramatically: costs were more than 40 percent lower for diabetes and stroke patients, and a staggering 73.7 percent lower for pregnant women.

It’s critically important for all Rhode Islanders to see both their dentist and PCP on a regular basis. This will help to ensure a healthier Rhode Island, improving everyone’s quality of life and ultimately bringing down healthcare costs.

Gus Manocchia, MD, is senior vice president and chief medical officer for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island.