DENTAL CARE

For most of us, oral care means brushing and flossing to maintain a sparkling smile and avoid cavities, but new research shows that much more is at stake when it comes to overall health. “Whatever is going on in their life shows up in their mouth,” says Dr. Reid Slaughter of Lakewood Family Dental. Even a trend like childhood obesity is evident in the dentist chair. “You get kids that drink a lot of energy drinks, soft drinks and juice,” says Dr. Slaughter, who is all too familiar with the ravages of sugar on his patients’ teeth.

Bleeding gums, dry mouth, fungal infections, and cavities are serious problems on their own, but they may also be clues that a patient is diabetic. Infections that cause inflammation of gums and cavities can indicate risk of heart disease and stroke. Loss of teeth in adults may indicate diabetes or osteoporosis. That’s why Dr. Slaughter says, “You’re not just treating the mouth. You’re treating the body.”

This statement is supported by the latest research, says Dr. Dena Robinson of East Dallas. “Studies are showing us now that oral health and gum disease are related to systemic problems such as heart disease and pulmonary disease,” she says. “That’s why, for me, the basic goal is oral health. Not just having a perfect pretty smile, but having healthy teeth, healthy gums.”

Dr. Ashly Cothern is concerned that the public is only beginning to get glimpses of the connection between teeth and body health. “We like to focus on comprehensive care for patients – the whole person,” she says. “We want the patient to be an active participant in their health, starting with the mouth.”

These findings also cast orthodontics in a new light – not only for children, but also for adults. “When your teeth are really crowded, you can’t clean them sufficiently, and that leads to some very difficult gum issues,” says Dr. Patricia Simon of Lakewood Orthodontics. “Also, many people don’t realize snoring in children isn’t normal. Sleep apnea is being diagnosed more often in young kids. It’s usually a sign of airway issues, which affect the teeth.”

For some patients, the mere mention of dentistry and orthodontics can bring up uncomfortable associations. Some doctors make it their mission to put these fears to rest. “I get the most enjoyment from being able to take a phobic dental patient, or a patient who’s had a bad dental experience in the past, and turn them into the most calm relaxed patient in the world,” says Dr. Kelli Slate of