Fairfax Dentist provides DNA saliva tests to diagnose overall oral health

Your health is important to you, and good oral health is a big part of that. Over the past few years, a number of important studies have come out that have linked poor oral health with serious illnesses like diabetes and even heart disease. New evidence linking oral health to systemic illness is continually surfacing.  Now Fairfax dentists, as well as dentists from throughout the country, are able to conduct simple, non-invasive tests related to oral health that reveal predisposition to more systemic health conditions.

Current laboratory-based technology allows for all sorts of conditions to be diagnosed with simple, painless tests.  These tests can give your dentist a wealth of information about the best way to move forward with treatment.  This, in turn, will help you enjoy better oral health, and can make you aware of any issues or concerns that may arise in the future.

One of the most effective diagnostic tools in the dental office is the oral DNA test, which is conducted by using a saline rinse to obtain saliva from the mouth. The test takes less than a minute, and the results reveal whether you are pre-disposed hereditarily to periodontal disease.  The periodontal pathogen test also identifies what kinds of bacteria are living in your mouth and how dangerous the quantities are. These tests help determine your risk for developing periodontal disease, as well as other, more serious conditions like heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, possibly Alzheimer’s disease, some cancers, and diabetes.

Although many patients who come in for a DNA test present symptoms of gingivitis such as bleeding gums or persistent bad breath, such symptoms are not necessary for the test to be helpful.  In fact, catching issues before they arise is a good plan for those who want to have a healthy mouth for as long as possible. The earlier these dangerous bacteria can be detected, the better the chances for avoiding serious issues down the road.

Another helpful test is the oral HPV saliva test. Detecting HPV viruses in the early stages can help with subsequent early detection of oral cancers. However, the HPV test is not something to fear – in reality, most oral HPV infections to do not lead to cancer. The purpose of the test is rather to become aware of any infections so that those patients who are at high risk can be monitored. The risk factors for the HPV test are tobacco use, being sexually active, and a family history of oral cancer.  Recent data leads us to believe that the fastest growing segment of the oral cancer population is non-smokers under the age of 50.  As HPV infections are often free of symptoms, a patient may have the virus and not be aware of it. Like the DNA best, the HPV test involves a saline rinse, and takes less than a minute.  The information from the test results can be invaluable for future treatment.

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