Healthy Mouth Baseline Las Vegas, NV
A healthy mouth baseline establishes the standards of oral health that a patient should meet for optimal health. This tool helps patients align their goals and the necessary treatments to achieve them. Communicating this baseline with patients can help them feel empowered about their role in treatment.
The healthy mouth baseline can help patients achieve better oral and overall health. Our team at Hybrid Dental in Las Vegas and the surrounding area can help. Call us today at (702) 628-5807 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
What Happens During an Annual Wellness Visit
While traditional dentists tend to treat isolated conditions, complete health dentists aim to treat patients in their entirety. They take a more comprehensive view of the patient, their pre-existing conditions, individual needs, unique risk factors, and more. As such, an annual visit to a complete health dentist is not just an "annual checkup." Rather, it is an annual wellness visit in which they take the patient's total condition into account.
A patient's mouth is a reflection of their overall health. Ideally, it should be free of bleeding gums, cavities, swelling, or any other irregularities. At the beginning of an annual wellness visit, a complete health dentist will show the patient a graph of the healthy mouth baseline. The hygienist will then delve deeper into their concerns before checking their vitals, conducting an oral cancer screening, and asking about sleep and lifestyle habits in preparation for the doctor.
“While traditional dentists tend to treat isolated conditions, complete health dentists aim to treat patients in their entirety.”
Recognizing Issues and Creating a Plan
A total health dentist takes a comprehensive approach to treating patients. We can recognize issues with the mouth and develop a plan for patients to reach a healthy mouth baseline. Total health dentists look at patients' pre-existing conditions, unique risk factors, and individual needs to recognize issues and create the right treatment plan.
During the annual wellness visit, patients will undergo an examination that involves checking vitals, analyzing the mouth, and discussing sleep and lifestyle habits. The goal is to identify any present oral health issues and educate patients about them. Our team will help patients understand what is happening in their mouths before creating a customized plan to return them to a healthy mouth baseline.
“Total health dentists look at patients’ pre-existing conditions, unique risk factors, and individual needs to recognize issues and create the right treatment plan.”
The Oral Health Connection
According to MayoClinic, dental health is often a good indication of overall health (and vice versa). The mouth often acts as the entryway to the digestive and respiratory tracts, and it is also a natural breeding ground for bacteria. Most of these are harmless and can generally be kept at bay with the body's natural defenses and proper oral hygiene maintenance. However, if not properly managed, this bacteria may multiply to dangerously high levels, causing various kinds of oral infections.
Medications that reduce saliva flow may also make patients more susceptible to oral infections. As saliva neutralizes any acids caused by bacteria in the mouth, it offers a layer of protection from any disease-causing microbes. Such oral bacteria and inflammation are associated with periodontitis, which can play a role in certain diseases. Additionally, other systemic conditions may lower the body's overall resistance to infection, including in the mouth.
“According to MayoClinic, dental health is often a good indication of overall health (and vice versa).”
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Symptoms to Watch For
A person's oral health is a reflection of their overall health. A healthy mouth should be free of swelling, cavities, and bleeding gums. Our team will watch for symptoms that may indicate issues with oral and overall health
Some signs of gum disease or other oral infections include:
- Consistent bad breath
- Painful gums
- Red or purplish gums
- Shifting teeth
- Sores
“A healthy mouth should be free of swelling, cavities, and bleeding gums.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What is the importance of a healthy mouth baseline?
Q. How does oral health affect overall health?
Q. What is the process of recognizing issues and creating a plan?
Q. What are symptoms that people should watch for?
People Also Ask
Q. How does oral health affect overall health?
Q. What is the difference between traditional dentists and total health dentists?
Working Toward a Healthy Mouth Baseline
Seeing a complete health dentist at least once per year is a great step one can do to maintain their overall health. Fortunately, however, there are several things that can be done to work towards a healthy mouth baseline at home. The most obvious tip is to practice good oral hygiene: Brushing teeth at least twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste and flossing nightly will help remove dental plaque, as will drinking fluoridated water.
Quitting tobacco products and cutting down on alcohol can dramatically improve one's oral health. Those with diabetes should also take extra care to maintain their condition, as oral health and diabetes have been proven to be bidirectionally linked (that is, they both directly affect the other). Eating crunchy fruits and vegetables and maintaining an overall healthy diet is also important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is dental plaque?
A. Dental plaque is a sticky film that constantly builds on the surface of teeth. It contains millions of bacteria that produce acid, which eats away at the enamel and causes decay. Without removal, plaque can cause other issues like gum disease, increasing the risk of other health complications.
Q. What are other systemic conditions linked to oral health?
A. Oral health issues can cause more than just pain and functionality issues. It can lead to dental issues, such as gum disease, which has a connection to issues including cardiovascular disease, bacterial pneumonia, stroke, and pregnancy complications. The bacteria in the mouth can also impact the heart if it enters the bloodstream and attaches to the plaque in the blood vessels.
Q. What are the risks associated with gum disease?
A. A lack of proper oral hygiene and the resulting accumulation of plaque is the primary cause of gum disease. However, there are additional factors associated with gum disease. Other factors include hormonal changes, age, certain illnesses, genetics, bad habits, and some medications.
Q. What is the difference between a total health dentist and a traditional dentist?
A. All dentists, whether total health or traditional, receive the same training and education in dental school. However, they differ in their approach to patient care. When treating patients, total health dentists focus on the role oral health plays in overall health.
Q. What are some components of a healthy mouth baseline?
A. Our team will check for the standards of a healthy mouth. This includes healthy gums, teeth, mouth, bite, jaws, and teeth. Cosmetic oral health and healthy habits are also aspects of a healthy mouth baseline.
Dental Terminology
Call Us Today
Good overall health starts with a good complete health dentist. We at Hybrid Dental may be able to help. Call us today at 702-628-5807 to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
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