The emergence of complete health dentistry has propelled astounding advancements in the dental industry as research substantiates the undeniable connection between oral and general health. As experts from the University of Illinois have found, the mouth is the leading entryway to the body and is known as the window to a person’s general health. A complete health dentist understands the connection between oral and overall health, running their practice on the application of modern dentistry with a focus on systemic relief.
Patients who take proper hygiene measures to ensure their oral health is up to par may have fewer general health problems. Although many conditions, illnesses, and diseases are genetic, it is possible to combat others through proper oral hygiene. Understanding and applying the oral-systemic link can profoundly enhance patients’ health and well-being and provide new fundamentals that can improve your practice’s profitability.
Dental Conditions That Can Be Detected
Regular dental checkups provide dentists with information regarding a patient’s oral health and any problems they may have. A complete health dentist considers the oral-systemic link and conducts a more intensive, thorough examination of not just the mouth but the entire face, neck, and throat. This allows them to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a person’s health and come closer to diagnosing any dental conditions.
Cavities and Cracked Teeth
Cavities and caries are the root causes of initial tooth decay caused by a breakdown of the tooth’s enamel. Cavities are also the leading cause of tooth decay and tooth loss. According to the CDC, “Untreated tooth decay can lead to [an] abscess (a severe infection) under the gums which can spread to other parts of the body and have serious, and in rare cases fatal, results.” Infections include gum disease, and, in more severe cases, periodontal disease, which can both impact the body systems, especially the digestive and respiratory tracts.
Cracked teeth can occur in a variety of ways: craze lines, cracked cusps, cracked teeth, and split teeth. Cracked or broken teeth can cause many oral and general health problems, as cracks give way to bacteria and infection. The Oral Health Foundation finds that “If they are not treated, cracked teeth can lead to the death of the nerve, and an abscess might grow.” An abscess is full of pus and bacteria, allowing bacteria to travel through various tracts to the body upon breaking open.
Gum and Periodontal Disease
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth decay, tooth loss, and, in severe cases, periodontal disease. Gum and periodontal disease, characterized by sensitive and inflamed gums, are linked to decay, resulting in tooth and bone loss when left untreated. Complete health dentists can detect early signs of gum disease and treat patients before it progresses to periodontal disease or general health conditions that are harder or less likely to treat.
Oral Cancers
Complete health dentists screen for oral cancer during routine dental visits in an attempt to find lesions and signs of cancer or precancer symptoms. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, 35,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer each year. Identifying sores, cysts, lesions, and other conditions of cancer early greatly aids in recovery benefits.
Medical Conditions That Can Be Detected
Many oral and systemic conditions and diseases coincide, simultaneously affecting one another. Complete health dentists are aware of these conditions and the signs that would appear in the mouth, face, neck, or throat with such conditions. At the same time, oral conditions that can affect or cause general health conditions are also apparent and discussed to prevent or treat other conditions.
Heart Disease
Poor oral health increases the risk of bacteria and infection entering the bloodstream, particularly affecting patients with artificial heart valves. The Mayo Clinic found that “heart disease, clogged arteries, and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause.” Periodontal disease, a severe form of gum disease, is associated with an increased risk of developing a heart condition.
Diabetes
Diabetes is another common condition that both affects and is affected by gum disease. The Mayo Clinic suggests, “by reducing the body’s resistance to infection, diabetes puts your gums at risk.” Gum and periodontal care can help manage diabetes while maintaining stability in blood sugar can also help mitigate gum and periodontal disease.
Other Conditions Affected by Oral Health:
- Endocarditis
- Pregnancy: premature birth and low birth rate
- Thyroid
- Cardiovascular disease
Medications That Affect Oral Health
Through extensive research, clinical trials, and experience, researchers have found that many medications for various health conditions affect patients’ oral health. Therefore, complete health dentists have a record of each patient’s medical history along with a list of all medications they have taken or are currently taking. They can also alter certain medications to fit the patient’s needs and help curb their symptoms or side effects while offering guidance in navigating general health conditions during dental treatment.
A few of the most common medications that affect the mouth include:
- Cancer medications
- Diabetes medications
- Regulatory medicines (i.e., cardiovascular or thyroid)
- Antidepressants
- High blood pressure medication
- Pain relievers and sedatives
NextLevel Practice Partnership
Complete health dentistry not only changed the way in which dentists view and treat patients, it also gave health professionals and patients across the board an enhanced idea of the extent to which dental and general health are connected. It allows patients to better care for themselves and dentists to provide better dialogue in terms of how conditions are being affected and the prevention or treatments required. Treating patients comprehensively also enables good patient-doctor rapport and builds stronger communication, which helps treat patients more accurately.
Many dentists and practices are aware of the oral-systemic health connection and interested in converting their practice but may not know how to start. With its growing popularity, we have extended our knowledge and expertise about complete health dentistry through our collaboration with NextLevel Practice (NLP), led by visionary Gary Kadi. Now, we work with clients on curating a Complete Health Practice Plan alongside Kadi’s NextLevel Practice and its various products and programs to provide the framework and a plan. Coupled with the NLPs programs, Doctor Genius customizes clients’ sites to be both visually-appealing and address the complete health philosophy that informs patients of the health services they provide.
Learn About Complete Health Dentistry
With Kadi’s expertise in this specific field and our ability to create new branding through site recreation and SEO strategic implementation, your practice can gain tremendous success and new patient outreach.
If you are ready to join the growing number of health professionals practicing complete health, reach out and we can help you learn more, answer any questions, and help you get started. Learn more about the NextLevel Practice services here.
Doctor Genius, located at 2 S Pointe Dr #200, Lake Forest, CA 92630, provides a range of services for practice success. We seek to meet our clients’ needs by providing a variety of marketing, SEO, practice optimization tools, and coaching to transform the healthcare experience. Though we work to provide the most accurate information, the content found on this website is solely intended for entertainment purposes. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that the information provided is entirely correct. You may not use the information on this site to cure, prevent, or diagnose a perceived medical issue. If you have healthcare-related needs, please speak directly to a healthcare professional. Never self-perform medical treatments discussed on this website. All images displayed are also for entertainment purposes only, and personal experiences may differ. Please note that the business tactics mentioned on this site might not be applicable to your industry or practice.
