Oral Health in North Oaks (Facts About COVID-19 & Overall Health)

These last few weeks, I’ve had time to reflect on dentistry’s increasing role in complete body health.

Our passion at The Gorman Center has always been on cosmetic and restorative design. The role of the mouth in body health isn’t a new concept, but bringing it to the forefront of conversation is.

With new testing, therapies, protocol, and collaboration, we are excited to see what the future brings. Here are my thoughts I’d like to share on oral health in North Oaks, MN (and worldwide).

The oral systemic health link

The role of dental health in overall body health has never been so important to realize as now, as the world deals with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is not that dental health has recently become important in the big picture of overall body health; it is that it has ALWAYS been important.

It is well documented that the vast majority of deaths and serious reactions requiring respirators and other intensive care during this pandemic involve people who, in one way or another, are immune system compromised.

Why is this important?

Research tells us (unfortunately) that many common underlying conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, type II diabetes, hypertension, heart attack, some forms of cancer, dementia, and pneumonia are related to inflammation within our body.

The most common site of initial inflammation in the body is in the mouth. This is where dental health becomes very essential.

How oral health affects overall health?

Bacteria is the primary source of inflammation in the mouth. While there are helpful and necessary bacteria in our body’s biome, there are harmful strains that start the inflammatory reaction in motion.

As those bacteria and by-products get into the bloodstream, they travel to other areas causing additional inflammatory responses. These reactions lead to the types of serious medical issues listed above.

For example:

• The same bacteria found in your mouth causing gum tissue inflammation and periodontal disease are found in the walls of blood vessels affected by cardiovascular disease.
• The bacteria found in tooth abscesses are often found in areas of blockage that cause strokes.
• Periodontal disease is a major deterrent to controlling diabetes and diabetes makes it more difficult to heal during periodontal therapy.

Dentists and physicians are working together to treat your body holistically; most importantly, by educating and treating our patients with proper diagnoses and plans to intercept gum disease and, therefore, better control overall body inflammation.

Along with interceptive treatment, gum disease therapy, and strong home care instruction and evaluation, we help patients understand that our diets are a major influence on body-wide inflammation levels.

There is good news!

Mouth bacteria treatment

Leading-edge dentists are using simple but sophisticated testing to detect and treat bacterial imbalances and overload.

In addition to clinical observation and measurement, we are now able to offer simple swish DNA testing to identify the bacteria strains and volume. We can also test your genetic susceptibility to these bacteria.

This is valuable information for planning an effective treatment plan and outcome.

Depending on the level of need, a variety of approaches are available. These may consist of counseling, hygiene instruction, cleanings, periodontal cleanings, laser disinfecting, rinse therapy, and our very effective peroxide tray system (PerioProtect).

The importance of oral health in North Oaks

Lifetime partnering between patients, dental hygienists, dentists, and physicians is the ultimate goal.

Contemporary physicians of all specialties are understanding more and more how dentistry can help prevent problems in their patients and help control ailments like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Preventive cardiologists are very keen to make sure their patients are inflammation free to reduce the chance of cardiovascular events.

Orthopedic surgeons performing joint replacements and other surgeons performing elective procedures are increasingly requiring patients to have dental health screenings as part of their pre-operative process to help avoid post-operative local or systemic infections.

Regular dental check-ups are essential for your health

In conclusion, dental medicine is a major contributor to attaining and maintaining complete body health within wellness-oriented contemporary medicine.

Dental visits are by far more frequent than primary physician visits, which means that your dental team is well equipped to screen for conditions that lead to more serious issues. Dental medicine integrated with wellness physicians and all medical specialties is “complete health” for now and the future!

If you have a question about your oral health, contact our Minnesota dentist!

Dr. Steve Gorman is a highly credible source of information on mouth-body health links and is a founding member of the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health… This text opens a new tab to the official website….

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Our modern dental office is conveniently located in North Oaks, MN, and proudly serves our surrounding communities, including St. Paul, Minneapolis, Vadnais Heights, New Brighton, Shoreview, Little Canada, White Bear Lake, Lino Lakes, Dellwood, Roseville, Twin Cities, Edina, Minnetonka, Eagan, Woodbury, Hudson, Arden Hills, and Wisconsin.