HEALTH-CENTERED DENTISTRY

The Oral Systemic Connection

Your dental experience should improve the health of your entire body, not just the health of a few teeth. The connection between your health and your smile is a key part of whole body dentistry and should be valued as part of your dental work.

Here at Three Rivers Dental, we take a whole-body approach to dentistry. We create a relaxing environment where we care for your mouth as part of your overall well-being.

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What is Whole-Body Dentistry?

Whole-body dentistry can involve many different things. Some of what our office uses to enhance our whole-body dentistry approach include:

  • Caring For Our Patients’ Overall Health: The mouth can indicate issues in other parts of your body, so we take care to investigate signs that your health may be struggling.
  • Collaborating with Other Providers: If you need sleep apnea testing, struggle with smoking, or need dietary assistance, we can recommend you to doctors who can help you improve your body’s and smile’s health.
  • Preventative Care: We treat issues in your mouth before they can impact other parts of your body.
  • Blood Pressure: Our treatments help you manage blood pressure by reducing oral inflammation that can strain the cardiovascular system.
  • Diabetes: We support better diabetes control by treating gum disease, which can improve blood sugar regulation.

The Benefits of Systematic Whole-Body Dentistry

A more systematic approach to your care has many benefits, which is why Dr. Heaser focuses on it in her practice. 

One of the most important aspects of whole-body dentistry is preventative care. Regular cleanings, exams, and early intervention help prevent cavities, gum disease, and more serious health complications. Preventing these issues ensures that your smile stays healthy for as long as possible.

Whole-body dentistry prioritizes safe, non-toxic dental materials that support your overall health. This means avoiding materials like mercury fillings and instead using composite restorations that are gentle on your body and long-lasting.

Instead of just fixing symptoms, whole-body dentistry looks at why problems occur. This could include evaluating diet, lifestyle habits, or underlying health conditions that may contribute to decay, gum disease, or bite misalignment. 

By addressing the root cause, treatment becomes more effective, and may not need to be repeated.

Chronic inflammation from gum disease or infections in the mouth can put stress on your immune system. By maintaining a healthy mouth through regular cleanings, periodontal care, and restorative treatments, we can lessen how much bacteria you are exposed to and lower inflammation.

Since oral health is linked to conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and inflammation, taking care of your teeth is a critical step in protecting your entire body. We are here to help you have the healthiest mouth possible and to educate you on the connection between your smile and your body.

Removing Damaging Restorations

Amalgam or mercury fillings can be harmful to your entire body. Trace amounts of the amalgam can wear off from a filling or restoration, causing distress to your body as it enters the bloodstream. Some patients report severe distress such as nausea, bleeding gums, or fatigue, while other patients opt to remove amalgam before any problems become noticeable.

Dr. Heaser offers safe and effective removal of amalgam fillings. Her approach lessens the exposure rate of any mercury dust that may occur during removal. Our office uses rubber dams around the mouth and high-suction vacuums to safely remove any fillings that may be harming your smile or your body.

Preventative Care

Our general dentistry focuses on preventative care. Instead of reacting when a cavity happens, we try to prevent cavities with thorough cleanings and oral care education for our patients. We also do thorough oral cancer screenings at every appointment, because early detection can prevent serious damage or even save a life.

Learn more about our preventative care by visiting our page.

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The Role of Periodontal Care in Health-Conscious Dentistry

Your gums have a special role in the body. They help maintain and protect your teeth, but they also play a crucial role in your overall health.

Periodontal care is a key part of whole-body dentistry, as research has shown a direct connection between gum disease and systemic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and even respiratory issues. By maintaining healthy gums, you’re not only protecting your smile but also supporting your entire body’s well-being.

The Link Between Gum Disease and Overall Health

Gum disease occurs when plaque and bacteria accumulate below the gumline, leading to inflammation, infection, and loss of bone density if left untreated. Chronic gum inflammation in the gums has been linked to:

  • Heart Disease: Gum infections can increase inflammation in the bloodstream, contributing to cardiovascular issues.
  • Diabetes Complications: Uncontrolled gum disease can make blood sugar levels harder to manage, worsening diabetic symptoms.
  • Respiratory Concerns: Bacteria from the gums can enter the lungs, increasing the risk of infections or worsening conditions like COPD.

Preventing and Managing Periodontal Disease

Whole-body dentistry emphasizes prevention as the first line of defense against gum disease. Regular dental cleanings, periodontal screenings, and at-home care all play a role in keeping your gums healthy.

If early signs of gum disease are detected, non-invasive treatments like dental deep cleanings can help the situation before it damages your health long term.

Dealing with periodontal disease also lessens inflammation throughout the body, positively contributing to a healthier life.

A Dentist Who Cares for You and Your Smile

Dr. Evon will always take steps to improve your overall health, during every dental appointment. She wants you to leave her office feeling your healthiest.

Our diagnoses and treatment plans will take into consideration other health factors, such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, other past diagnoses, and habits such as smoking. Many of those factors can change your oral health, making them an interconnected issue that may need to be addressed together.

Whole-body dentistry involves other members of your care team, such as your general health doctor, for certain cases. The mouth can allow us to detect the beginning signs of disease that is affecting your entire body. When you visit our office you can expect collaboration with other care members to elevate your health.

Can Your Mouth Help Us Detect Disease?

Occasionally, your mouth may show signs of damage before any other symptom of a disease shows up. We take these changes seriously, but we can’t diagnose any disease not directly related to oral health. If we have cause for concern we will communicate with you and recommend you to the proper doctor or specialist.

Call for Whole Body Dental Care in Columbia Falls

If you are looking for a whole-health approach to your dental care, look no further than Three Rivers Dental. We offer a comprehensive approach to your health that treats your mouth like part of your body. Schedule a new patient exam with Dr. Heaser today.

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