For the month of October, Dr. Sunitha Sirivolu and staff at Family Dentist of Palm Beach are putting on pink to support breast cancer research. They are asking their patients and the communities of Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Lake Worth and West Palm Beach to do the same by posting their pinkness on social media, and the office will contribute money to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation with each post.
The campaign aims to bring awareness to breast cancer, while also bringing light to periodontal disease, which has been linked to breast cancer.
Breast cancer impacts more than 200,000 people in the United States each year and is expected to double by 2040. The lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000 in the U.S. for men and 1 in 8 for U.S. women. There is no known cause, but certain factors may put people at a higher risk of developing it. A person’s age, genetic factors, personal health history and diet all contribute to breast cancer risk. The good news is that most people survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early.
To lower the risk of getting breast cancer, eat healthy, exercise, don’t smoke, limit alcohol, breast feed and get regular dental cleanings. Consult a doctor about proper breast self-exams, mammograms and other screenings.
Oral hygiene relates directly to one’s overall health. Certain strains that causes periodontal disease have been linked to pneumonia, prostate cancer, stroke and diabetes, as well as breast cancer. Women who have periodontal disease are more likely to develop breast cancer. Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and destroys the bone that supports teeth. This infection can get into the blood stream and cause viruses that suppress the body’s immune responses.
Regular dental checkups, brushing and flossing twice a day can lower your risk of periodontal disease. Protect your mouth and your health by seeing a dentist regularly for a full oral exam.
Family Dentist is located at 11903 Southern Blvd., Suite 116, in Royal Palm Beach. For more info., call (561) 795-7668 or visit www.familydentistpalmbeach.com.
