Total Body Health in St. James & Smithtown
At North Country Smiles, our dental approach considers the entire body, not just the teeth, promoting health and wellness rather than simply treating disease. We know the impact that the health of your mouth has on the rest of your body and that oral health is an integral part of whole-body care.
Did you know that many our medical issues can be prevented? Maintaining excellent oral health is the secret. And since your body is natural, we think your treatment should be too. Combining the best of modern science, knowledge, and education, we want to educate you and present you with an option that will provide you with whole-body care.
Diseases Associated with Oral Health
We recognize that there are well-documented links between your oral health and other systemic diseases, such as:
- Heart disease
- Respiratory Disease
- Kidney Disease
Inflammation and Oral Health
The inflammatory process has a significant impact on the tissues that surround and support your teeth—your gums and periodontal ligaments. As bacteria multiplies and spreads throughout your mouth, it has the potential to enter your bloodstream and lead to a variety of sicknesses. When your body builds inflammatory cells to fight the bacteria, the bacteria fight back and create a battle known as chronic inflammation.
Systemic inflammation, also known as an overworked immune system response, can result in the process of your body attacking its own tissues. Inflammation falls into two separate categories: acute and chronic. Acute inflammation refers to the body’s response to an injury, irritation or infection. Symptoms range from redness and swelling to heat and pain at the affected site and the symptoms typically lasts just a few days. Chronic inflammation can last for weeks, and sometimes years, and can be caused by environmental toxins, bacterial or viral infections, poor nutrition, and stress. Chronic inflammation often occurs when acute inflammation doesn’t stop infection or heal an injury. This is when the body’s immune system fails to maintain homeostasis and if this goes on for too long, cells can be damaged and disease can develop.
How does Inflammation relate to my oral health?
Your mouth is a window to the rest of your body and can show signs of inflammation and stress in your body. For example, periodontal disease and gingivitis are two of the most common signs of overall body inflammation. Research shows periodontal disease leads to bone loss and tooth loss and is related to Rheumatoid Arthritis, Celiac Disease, Thyroid Disease, Heart Disease, Atherosclerosis, Type 1 Diabetes, and Alzheimer’s.
Inflammation and Periodontal (Gum) Disease
This form of chronic inflammation in the mouth leads to bone loss. It causes gums to recede and pockets to form between the teeth and gums. When tartar and plaque are trapped, infection can occur. Periodontal disease is the number one cause of adult tooth loss and nearly half of American adults have periodontal disease.
Inflammation and Diabetes
People with diabetes are most likely to develop oral health issues because of their high levels of blood sugar. The diabetic’s weakened white blood cells are less able to fight bacterial infections in the mouth, and their reduced blood supply to the gums and bones lead to infection.
Oral Health and Pregnancy
Oral health can plunge during pregnancy, primarily due to hormonal changes that can affect your body’s response to plaque. Hormonal changes can also adversely affect gum inflammation and bleeding. In the most extreme cases, periodontal disease can cause even premature labor and lower birth weight in babies.
Oral Health and Sleep Apnea
Our overall health and well-being relies on a good night’s sleep. So many people, including our children, do not get enough quality sleep. Dr. Laudati can identify signs of sleep disorders commonly overlooked by Physicians. Poor sleep can lead to high blood pressure, heart attacks, weight gain, loss of energy, decrease ability to concentrate at school or work and these people have an increased level of irritability. Snoring is a sign of Sleep Apnea. Sleep Apnea is a serious medical condition. During the night, a person can stop breathing many times. Snoring can lead to gasping for air that cannot pass through a partially blocked airway. The mouth can show signs of Sleep Apnea. Sleep Apnea patients routinely grind their teeth, have enlarged tongues and misaligned teeth in addition to dry mouth and many unexplained cavities. Every Patient at North Country Smiles is screened for Sleep Disorders. If you, or someone you love, think you might be having trouble sleeping, call North Country Smiles and let us help you.
At North Country Smiles, we routinely screen our patients for signs of oral cancer. We use a special light that shows us areas that indicate early signs of oral cancer. Drinking alcohol, smoking, and HPV, Human Papilloma Virus, have the potential of contributing to the onset of oral cancer.
Dr. Laudati and our entire team encourage you to learn more about our biocompatible approach by visiting our office. We are happy to give you more information on how to improve your oral health in a safe, toxin-free way. Call us today! Office of North Country Smiles Phone Number 631-265-5549