8 minute read
Healthy mouth, healthy body
from Thrive 2021
Written by DR. MATTHEW CARELLA
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Allegany Dental
– Dr. Matthew Carella Everyone knows the importance of taking care of your heart through diet and exercise, but new studies indicate that taking care of your mouth with proper oral hygiene (OH) may be just as important to your health. If you’ve had a large cavity, you might already be aware of the consequences of poor OH on the teeth themselves. If left untreated, cavities can lead to toothaches and even abscesses. Although painful, these effects are limited to the mouth, except in the most severe cases. However, teeth are just one type of tissue in the mouth.
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Your gums, the soft tissues that surround your teeth, also experience the negative consequences of poor OH, and the impact of gum disease can reach far beyond the mouth. Most susceptible to poor OH is the tissue that forms a 1-3 mm collar around each tooth, the “marginal gingiva.” In dental school, it was drilled into my head (yes, pun intended) that the surface area of this tissue is approximately that of the palm of your hand – a very large area to be chronically inflamed and infected. Yet, many people have severe enough gum inflammation that they notice bleeding after brushing. I can assure you, if a palm-sized, red area that bled upon light touch cropped up anywhere else on your body, you’d be taking a trip to the emergency room!
Gum health is important to overall health because your gums are linked to all of your organs. Gums house a vast network of blood vessels, and the same blood that passes through the gums circulates throughout your entire body. When the gums are irritated from the prolonged presence of food debris and bacteria, their cells will alert one another through inflammatory messenger proteins. This cell-to-cell communication helps mount an immune response to fight off offending agents. Unfortunately, these inflammatory proteins do not stay confined to the gums; they leak into the bloodstream and quickly get transported to all areas of your body. These now-circulating inflammatory proteins have been associated with multiple diseases such as cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes.
If we reduce the amount of inflammation in our gums, we reduce the overall level of inflammation in our bodies. Fortunately, this is easily achieved through proper OH: 1. Brushing: Brush twice per day for two minutes each session with fluoridated toothpaste. Nightly brushing is most important to ensure the food and bacteria from the day do not sit on your teeth overnight. A soft bristle toothbrush is recommended, but the best option is a rechargeable electric toothbrush with an integrated two-minute timer. 2. Flossing: This only needs to be performed once per day and should be done before bed.
Incorporating these two habits into your daily routine will not only improve your oral health, but will also improve your overall health by reducing inflammation. Ask your dentist at your next visit about the many benefits of a healthy mouth!
Matthew Carella is a dentist with Allegany Dental Care in Hagerstown.
BEST FOOD FOR HEALTHY TEETH
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon 56 Thomas Johnson Drive Suite 100 Frederick MD 21702 P: 301-698-9999 F: 301-698-9699
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Meet the Provider:
Dr. Albertoli is a licensed physician in the State of Maryland, and a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He currently holds affiliations and privileges with Frederick Health Hospital and the Frederick Surgical Center. Dr. Albertoli is medical director and owner of the Ambulatory Center for Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery that is accredited by AAAASF, and conveniently located at the same location as his medical office.
Acute injuries are seen on immediate basis. Same day appointments are available.
• Trigger Finger Repair • Ligament, Tendon and Nerve Injuries • Open and Closed Fractures of the Hand • Open and Closed Soft Tissue Injuries of the Hand
• Bone Reconstruction of the Hand • Carpal Tunnel Release • Joint Stiffness and Contractures
• Hand Tumors
• Nail Bed Injuries • Ganglion Cysts: Tendon and Wrist • Finger Sprains, Jams and Dislocations • De Quervain's Disease • Dupuytren's Contracture • Evaluation and Removal of Suspicious
Lesions • MOHS Reconstructive Closure • Lipomas, Abscesses, Cysts • Cancerous Lesions: Carcinoma,
Melanoma • Open Wounds and Lacerations • Dog and Cat Bites • Cellulitis and Osteomyelitis
ALL INSURANCES ACCEPTED
Please visit our website for further information: www.albertolimd.org
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(717)485-3155 (717)485-3155 • • 214PeachOrchardRoad,McConnellsburg, 214PeachOrchardRoad,McConnellsburg, PA PA 17233 17233
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SOUTHERNHUNTINGDONCOUNTY MEDICALCENTER LabDrawSite814-447-0033 626 WaterStSte1,Orbisonia,Pennsylvania Medical-(814)447-5556 • Dental-(814)447-3159 REHABSERVICESofHuntingdonCo. 622 WaterStreet,Orbisonia, PA 17243 814-447-3062 TEAMHOMEHEALTH 11559WilliamPennHighway, Huntingdon, PA 16652 814-506-8499
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Hagerstown Gastroenterology
Dr. Chintamaneni Choudari
When someone is experiencing unexplained abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting or diarrhea, Dr. Chintamaneni Choudari at Hagerstown Gastroenterology can provide answers and treatment in a timely and caring manner with incomparable professionalism.
After earning his medical degree in India, Dr. Choudari trained in Internal Medicine in London and Gastroenterology in Edinburgh, Scotland, before traveling to the United States to continue his training at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and Indiana University. He has published several original papers and many editorials in peer-reviewed GI journals.
Dr. Choudari began practicing in Hagerstown in 2008. In late 2019, he started his solo practice at Robinwood Professional Center, where his handpicked passionate staff excel at putting patients at ease, and are committed to being at the forefront of gastroenterology.
Hagerstown Gastroenterology is essentially a onestop shop for a number of ailments and conditions, including acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, anemia/ GI bleeding, fatty liver disease, colon cancer screening, colon polyps and colitis.
Patients with urgent complaints can often get a sameweek (or even same day!) appointment, providing them with peace of mind, knowing they can be evaluated quickly and professionally. Some services, such as those for nursing home residents, can be provided via telemedicine.
Three Mercy Medical Center doctors from Baltimore travel to the practice monthly to provide additional, world-class expertise close to home. Dr. Paul J. Thuluvath specializes in Advanced Liver Disease, Dr. Matilda N. Hagan specializes in complicated Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and Dr. Bryan Curtin specializes in Neurogastroenterology and Motility.
“These doctors are fantastic in what they do,” Dr. Choudari said. “They provide specialized care that is not available in the Tri-State area, so it has been a huge success to have them here. Instead of going to Baltimore, patients have an opportunity to come here.”
Dr Choudari is the head of the Department of Gastroenterology at Meritus Medical Center. He is the Principal Investigator, Gastroenterology Division, Meritus Medical Center for Clinical Research.
Dr. Choudari hopes his patients, many of whom refer friends and family to the practice, consider Hagerstown Gastroenterology the premier provider for their abdominal concerns.
“We’re dedicated to both the diagnosis and treatment of digestive disorders and liver disease, as well as making significant contributions in clinical research,” he said.
www.gidoc.biz
Pear M. Enam MD, FACG
Rashid Hanif MD, FACG, AGAF Urooj Ahmed MD, FACG
MEET OUR PHYSICIANS
Symptoms suggesting the need for a gastroenterologist’s care:
• Abdominal pain • Difficultly swallowing • Heartburn/Reflux
• Nausea and vomiting • Liver disease including
Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C,
Fatty liver, NASH • Diseases of the pancreas • Unexplained weight loss • Change in bowel habits • Colitis / Crohn’s disease • Constipation • Diarrhea • Hemorrhoids • Rectal bleeding • Family history of colon polyps or cancer
Services we provide:
• Non surgical treatment of
Hemorrhoids and Anal fissure • Video Capsule Endoscopy of
Small Bowel
• Upper endoscopy (EGD) • Colonoscopy • Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Breath Testing: H: Pylori
Lactose, Intolerance &
Bacterial Overgrowth.
