01 Sep A Healthy Body and Healthy Smile Go Hand in Hand
As more research is completed, the correlation between excellent oral health and overall good health is becoming more understood and deemed critically important. That is why many patients are seeking a holistic dentist so they can achieve the advantages obtained from a provider who will assess the patient’s overall well-being, not just one aspect of care.
A healthy smile is best achieved through a daily regimen of flossing along with brushing a minimum of twice per day with a soft bristle brush and tooth paste or gel. Since prevention is the best tool available, a professional cleaning and dental exam twice per year will catch many small issues before they can escalate into full blown problems such as dental decay or gum disease. [pullquote]…many patients are seeking a holistic dentist so they can achieve the advantages obtained from a provider who will assess the patient’s overall well-being, not just one aspect of care.[/pullquote]
Why is caring for your teeth so important to overall health? First of all, repairing dental decay is uncomfortable and costly. Patients suffering from excessive dental decay are likely to graduate to more serious dental problems including gingivitis, or the more serious periodontitis.
However, patients that observe excellent oral hygiene habits not only are able to enjoy a beautiful smile but are less likely to have to deal with the complications that often accompany gum disease. Auto immune diseases such as diabetes are very common in patients suffering from gum disease leading researchers to suspect a direct correlation between the two.
Hearth attack and stroke have been linked to gum disease as well as some respiratory illnesses.
A holistic dentist will assess the big picture and encourage the patient to learn and understand the connection to healthy teeth and gums and overall good health and the key to achieving both. Educating the patient about how oral health may impact day to day living and what can be done to improve overall health is the goal, along with accepting responsibility to do the things needed for the best outcome.
Basic rules to follow include a proper diet rich with fruits and vegetables; get plenty of rest each day; drink sufficient fluids daily, particularly water; exercise daily. This daily regimen along with the excellent oral hygiene habits mentioned earlier will provide your body, teeth and gums the healthiest avenue to a long and healthy life and a beautiful smile as a bonus.
For additional tips and information, contact the Dallas Texas office of Dr. Philip Kozlow at 972-458-2464 today.