CEDAR PARK, TX, Feb. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
Park Family Dental - Cosmetic, Oral Surgery, & Implant Center emphasizes the critical role routine dental examinations play in detecting early signs of serious systemic health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, osteoporosis, and oral cancer.
The American Heart Association's December 2025 scientific statement, published in Circulation, confirmed that gum disease is independently associated with increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. This finding underscores the importance of regular dental visits that go beyond cavity detection to serve as a frontline defense in identifying potentially life-threatening conditions.
During routine examinations, dentists examine the gums, tongue, throat, jaw, and bone density through imaging. These tissues often display the earliest visible signs of systemic disease, making dental professionals uniquely positioned to identify health concerns before symptoms become apparent elsewhere in the body. For oral cancer alone, early detection changes the five-year survival rate from approximately 40 percent when the disease has spread to 85 percent when caught at a localized stage — yet only 15 percent of patients are aware that their dentist screens for it.
"The mouth serves as a window to overall health, and many serious conditions manifest their first symptoms in oral tissues," said Dr. Ardita Ormeni, DMD, MS, general and cosmetic dentist at Park Family Dental in Cedar Park. "When we examine patients, we're not just looking at teeth – we're evaluating indicators that could signal diabetes through gum inflammation, heart disease through periodontal bacteria, osteoporosis through imaging of bone density, or cancer through unusual tissue changes. Many of these signs are painless and invisible to the patient, but clearly visible to a dentist who knows what to look for. "
Park Family Dental in Cedar Park stands uniquely equipped for comprehensive health screening due to its dual expertise. The practice is staffed by both a general and cosmetic dentist and a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Daniel Ormeni, DMD, MPH, FACS. This combination means findings from routine cleanings, such as advancing gum disease, suspicious oral lesions, or jawbone changes, can be evaluated, biopsied, or treated on-site without requiring outside referrals.
Periodontal disease affects 46 percent of American adults over 30, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The economic impact extends beyond dental care – patients who receive gum disease treatment in Cedar Park and similar communities can see significant long-term savings, as research shows treating periodontal disease in diabetes patients can save an estimated $6,000 per person over a lifetime through improved glycemic control and reduced complications.
Dentists are also increasingly recognized as frontline screeners for obstructive sleep apnea. Oral signs such as teeth worn flat from grinding, cracked molars, a scalloped tongue, a narrow or high-arched palate, and chronic dry mouth can all indicate airway obstruction during sleep. An estimated 80 percent of moderate-to-severe sleep apnea cases remain undiagnosed, and a September 2024 review in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that dentists can identify sleep apnea risk with up to 80 percent accuracy using oral signs and validated screening tools.
The practice's comprehensive approach includes periodontal treatment, oral cancer screenings, sleep apnea treatment, and full-scope oral surgery services. With an oral surgeon in Cedar Park, TX on staff, concerning findings can be addressed immediately that might otherwise require weeks of referrals and appointments elsewhere.
The connection between oral health and systemic disease continues to strengthen through ongoing research. Bacteria from untreated gum disease can enter the bloodstream, potentially contributing to arterial plaque formation and increasing cardiovascular risk. Similarly, inflammation in the mouth may trigger or worsen inflammatory responses throughout the body, affecting conditions from rheumatoid arthritis to Alzheimer's disease.
Park Family Dental - Cosmetic, Oral Surgery, & Implant Center provides comprehensive dental care, periodontal treatment, oral cancer screenings, sleep apnea treatment, and full-scope oral surgery at their Cedar Park location for families throughout Cedar Park, Leander, Round Rock, Georgetown, and Austin. The practice combines advanced diagnostic technology with specialized expertise to offer patients thorough health screening alongside traditional dental services.
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For more information about Park Family Dental - Cosmetic, Oral Surgery, & Implant Center, contact the company here:
Park Family Dental - Cosmetic, Oral Surgery, & Implant Center
Dr. Ardita Ormeni
+1 737-210-4656
info@parkfamilydentist.com
Park Family Dental
111 N Vista Ridge Blvd #101
Cedar Park, TX 78613, United States
