Good Oral Health Promotes Good Overall Health

By Pastor Marie F. Johnson, Ph.D., Th.M

As a child growing up in South Carolina, we were not afforded the opportunity to see a dentist except for extreme emergencies such as toothaches. I can remember going to the dentist and sitting in a waiting room with a dental chair in the middle of the room. I watched as children and adults were called one by one to have a tooth extracted with no anesthesia. My sister was next in line and I thought she was going to faint from fear. At that moment, I felt there had to be a better way to care for dental needs. I decided early in life to go to dental school to educate others on how to care for their teeth. I never wanted to see anyone go through that painful experience or having to lose their teeth as the only option.

I made a personal and professional commitment to gain as much knowledge about teeth as possible. I attended dental school at the (Medical College of Georgia), countless dental seminars, continuing education classes, dental conventions and worked with some of the greatest dental minds in the world. I opened my very own dental office (Dental World Inc.) in Atlanta, Georgia. Upon opening my office, I was immediately stricken with cancer that lasted for a twoyear period. I SURVIVED the cancer, was called into the ministry, and now pastor The Cathedral of Grace Apostolic Church in Covington, Georgia, with my husband Pastor Willie Johnson. I never gave up on my dental profession and have worked in dentistry for the past 25 years. I feel a spiritual connection of my calling into ministry and my dental profession as a way of helping God’s people. Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” I am now in a position to give hope to others through my dental, counseling and pastoral profession.

We at The Goldstein Dental Center partner with The Dental Lifeline organization to provide complimentary dental services for those that cannot afford our services. Our dental assisting school (Dental Careers Institute) has provided complimentary career opportunities for single mothers that have changed their lives tremendously. People of all socioeconomic groups travel here to receive the best of what dentistry has to offer.

I thought my life and career were both over when I became ill, but God had other plans. HIS plan and purpose for me were so much more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. He said he would use me to help restore. I finally realized what he meant. When you feel like giving up, God tells us, don’t be dismayed for He is with us and will strengthen us.

The experience of being a part of transforming a person’s smile has been so very exciting. I share in the joy and laughter with our patients once they see their new smile design. It radiates from the inside out. Good Oral Health and Good Spiritual Health is what drives me every day of my life. I feel strongly that when a person is hurting, they need someone to comfort them and to reassure them that everything will be alright. I was able to face my dental fears that I had as a child and my experience with cancer also. I am now free of both with God’s help.

Dentistry today has changed so very much that we can prevent the pain, fix the pain, and create beautiful and healthy smiles by a technique called teeth in a day. We can restore an entire mouth in one day by placing same day implants, crowns, bridges and veneers. I heard of someone that went for an interview and during the interview she smiled and lost the job opportunity because of her smile. She did a smile makeover and is now the CEO of a company. There are many people that won’t smile because they don’t like the appearance of their teeth. There are many that won’t smile because they have been spiritually hurt. Proverbs 15:30 says, “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.”

I want to share a few facts that I feel will help someone that may be experiencing dental pain, and other health issues. Your mouth is the entry point to your digestive and respiratory tracts and some bacteria and inflammation in the mouth can adversely affect certain medical conditions. High blood pressure, endocarditis, (infection of the inner lining of your heart), cardiovascular disease, clogged arteries, and strokes have been linked to dental inflammation and infection. Periodontitis, can cause premature birth, and low birth weight. Diseases such as diabetes can lower the body’s resistance to infection causing health problems to become more severe. Osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease, eating disorders and certain cancers can also be linked to your oral health.

There is a connection between oral health and overall health, and there are ways to protect and improve your oral and overall health. People perish because of a lack of knowledge. Now that you have heard what can cause some of your health issues, I beseech you to invest in your oral health as you would in a new outfit of clothing or a vacation. A strong healthy oral foundation is like a strong healthy spiritual foundation; it should be built on the right source and it will be sure to last. The fear has been taken away from dentistry. Please take note of the list of things that you can start immediately.

Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled brush using fluoride toothpaste. • Floss daily. • Use mouthwash to remove food particles left after brushing and flossing. • Limit food with added sugars. • Replace your toothbrush every three months or sooner if bristles are splayed or worn. • Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings. • Avoid tobacco use.

Also, contact your dentist as soon as an oral health problem arises. Taking care of your oral health is an investment in your overall health. I hope these words have enlightened you and will prompt you to take care of your ORAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH. Psalm 126:2 says, “Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy.”