Protecting your oral health does much more than ensure a
beautiful smile and optimal oral function. From facilitating efficient
digestion to protecting your heart from cardiovascular disease or stroke, a
healthy mouth is necessary for good overall health. With this in mind, regular
dental visits for preventive check-ups and treatments is one of the most
proactive methods of protecting both oral and overall health.
The Oral-Systemic
Relationship
In recent years, various studies have demonstrated a link
between the health of the smile and health of the body as a whole. Known as the
oral-systemic link, this relationship serves as an important indicator of the
onset of certain conditions as well as ensures proposed treatments
comprehensively address the root of the oral or overall health problem.
In particular, this link focuses on how certain health
conditions, ranging from temporomandibular joint dysfunction to diabetes can
have a negative impact on the health and function of the smile. Similarly, this
connection evaluates how poor oral hygiene can have a domino-like impact on other
parts of the body, causing and exacerbating symptoms other conditions. For
example, conditions such as gum disease and teeth abscesses are fairly simple
to prevent and treat during the early stages through aggressive oral hygiene
and minimal restorative treatment. However, neglecting either condition can
open the door to more serious problems, potentially compromising the health of
vital organs.
When it comes to maintaining a positive relationship between
the health of the mouth and rest of the body, preventive dental care remains
one of the most effective ways of protecting an individuals’ long-term
wellbeing.
What is Preventive
Dentistry?
Maintaining a healthy smile begins with implementing an
effective oral hygiene and preventive care plan. In addition to consistently
practicing an effective at-home oral hygiene routine, regular professional
cleanings and check-ups are an essential part of preventive dentistry.
These biannual appointments provide the dentist with the
opportunity to remove tartar build-up, monitor changes in the smile, and make
important treatment recommendations to protect the patient’s long-term oral
health. As certain health conditions yield oral symptoms, regular visits and
frequent monitoring also provide dentists the opportunity to comprehensively
evaluate patients’ smiles for indicators of underlying conditions which may
otherwise go unnoticed.
Preventive Dental
Care in Newton
The first step to maintaining a beautiful smile and lasting
overall health begins with regular check-ups and cleanings. At our
state-of-the-art dental practice in Newton, Dr. Ted Filandrianos and his team
utilize advanced diagnostic instruments to comprehensively evaluate every smile
for signs of a more extensive issue. These technologies are then utilized to
develop all-encompassing treatment plans that thoroughly address any underlying
conditions and ensure lasting health. For more information about our approach
to effective preventive care, contact Dr. Filandrianos today.
