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Oral DNA Testing
Your Mouth, Your Body, Your Health
Oral DNA testing provides a means of assessing an individual's genetic risk for periodontal disease, the most common cause of tooth loss.
About Periodontal Disease in the United States
Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious infections that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth, and is usually first diagnosed by your dentist.
About a third of adults will have at least 3 to 4 teeth affected with moderate periodontal disease in their lifetime. Severe or rapidly progressing disease affects 5 - 15 percent of the adult population.
The past 10 years have provided much insight into what has come to be called, The Oral/Systemic Connection. The link between chronic inflammatory periodontal infections and systemic diseases is becoming more prominent and documented daily. These include:
- Various forms of cancer
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Heart disease
The National Institute of Health (NIH) and other research facilities are aggressively pursuing this link as well. As we continue to learn more about the severity of periodontal infections and how closely linked they are to your overall health, having detailed information about your genetic susceptibility and the bacteria that are present in the mouth will be critical in determining your oral care and overall general health.
