Bacteria in your mouth can travel to other parts of your body via your bloodstream.
During your first visit, your doctor will sit down with you to have a one on one consultation. They will ask you questions to get to know you better and understand your health history, your lifestyle, your diet, your needs, and your unique oral health goals. This is also a great time to ask your doctor any questions that may be on your mind regarding your oral health or anything else!
A whole health oral exam encompasses more than just looking for the presence of cavities. Your doctor will be looking for patterns that could be the sign of a larger issue. For example, unusual redness or ulcerations of the oral tissues could be small indications of HPV. Canker sores, dull teeth, eroded enamel, elevated blood pressure, and mouth breathing are all examples of symptoms that could indicate a more serious health concern.
Every patient is unique and your treatment plan will be made with this in mind. Your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan that accommodates your lifestyle. They will also help you understand the role your diet plays in your oral health and overall wellbeing. Supplements and vitamins may be recommended based on your specific desired outcomes and needs. Whole health focused dentists will treat any present issues using the most biocompatible and least toxic materials possible for the best outcomes.
Nutritional counseling and whole health dentistry will help you feel strong, energetic, and healthy. Patients have reported feeling improved energy levels, better digestion, and greater concentration after receiving nutritional counseling from their whole health dentist.
Whole health dentistry not only keeps you feeling your best, but also keeps your smile bright and beautiful. Improved complexion, healthy gums, and a functional bite are all results of good oral and dietary health that you can be proud to show off.
By adding nutritional counseling as a part of your regular preventive care routine, your dentist will be able track your oral health as well as your whole body health to identify when changes or new developments may indicate a more serious concern. For example, if a lesion is identified during an oral exam, your dentist will be able to send out for a biopsy and either rule out or diagnose oral cancer early on while it is still easily treatable. This makes for better outcomes and keeps you happy and healthy.
Tooth loss and gum disease increase your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Dentistry and nutrition are directly correlated as poor oral health has a negative impact on your ability to properly eat and digest your foods. The converse is also true as patients with poor nutrition may be at risk for tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. Researchers have also linked common oral health issues to diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and premature or low-weight births. Your dentist can help improve your oral health as well as your digestion, nutrition, and overall wellbeing by identifying dietary contributors to negative health issues. These negative health issues can be identified by smaller signs and symptoms that are present in your mouth that you may deem insignificant. It is easy to think that a simple canker sore doesn’t have a great effect on your overall well being, but it can actually be a sign of a larger issue. That is why it is important to come in for checkups and preventive care regularly.
If you are wondering whether or not you need nutrition counseling, the answer is probably yes. In most cases, everyone can benefit from nutrition counseling in one form or another. Whether it’s as simple as learning more about supplements and proper nutrition, or taking steps to make great improvements to your overall well being, your dentist can help! It’s as simple as coming in for an exam and can be added on to any preventive appointment at our office.
Yes. Dentists undergo extensive training in the healthcare field, specifically dealing with health issues related to the mouth and digestion. This includes looking out for signs of gum disease, oral cancer, GERD, HPV, and more. Your dentist serves as a healthcare educator and is devoted to ensuring you are in the best position possible to make the right choices for your oral health.
Nutritional counseling is usually considered to be an elective treatment by most insurance providers. However, there may be some instances where this is not the case. To find out if you can use your dental insurance benefits to cover nutritional counseling at our office, we recommend getting in touch with your plan provider. We are also happy to go over your plan with you and answer any questions that you may have to ensure you are maximizing your benefits.
Gum disease increases the risk of developing cancer of the head and neck.