The Mouth-Body Connection

Dentistry isn’t just about your teeth and gums—it’s also about your overall health. The mouth-body connection is among the most important in medicine, so taking a proactive approach to oral health has a positive impact in other areas as well. You can talk to your dentist in Newport Beach about the important connections you should know about.

1. Gum Disease and Systemic Health

Gum disease is among the most pressing oral health concerns. Left untreated, you can eventually suffer from tooth loss. However, the issues don’t stop there. Gum disease is related to a variety of whole-body health problems.

If you experience gum disease, you may be at higher risk of heart disease and other circulatory conditions. The inflammation associated with gum disease can affect blood flow and lead to hypertension. You’re also at risk of the infection spreading to the respiratory tract and causing bronchitis, pneumonia, and other issues.

2. Teeth: An Early Warning Sign

Keeping up with routine dental exams is important to identify not only oral health conditions but signs of disease throughout the body. Discoloration in the gum tissue, sores, and the condition of your teeth are all potential indicators of serious underlying health issues.

Your dentist can identify these signs and refer you to a physician when appropriate. The condition of your teeth can also reflect your mental health. Wear due to grinding and clenching are often indicators of stress, and visiting a mental health professional could be in your best interest.

3. The Impact of Teeth Misalignment

Having a straight smile is something that most people want. However, misaligned teeth affect much more than just the appearance of your smile. How your teeth come together profoundly impacts your jaw and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) responsible for its opening and closing.

When your teeth don’t sit together properly, they can put constant strain on the many muscles that control your jaw. This can lead to TMJ disorder (TMD), and you can experience chronic pain, difficulty chewing, headaches, and other symptoms. Orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign can resolve this issue.

4. TMD: Affecting More than Just Your Jaw

TMD can lead to jaw pain and difficulty biting and chewing, but it also does more than that. Headaches are a common symptom, and you can experience pain throughout the face, neck, back, and shoulders.

You can also experience a range of other symptoms that can impact your life. Tinnitus, earaches, dizziness, and nausea can arise due to TMD and reduce your quality of life. Effective treatment can help alleviate the symptoms of TMD.

5. The Impact of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition that is associated with a variety of dental issues and TMD. During sleep, throat muscles can relax and close the airway. When this happens, you jolt awake suddenly. This impacts the quality of your sleep and can leave you fatigued throughout the day. Snoring and other symptoms are also common.

Sleep apnea isn’t just about feeling tired. It also contributes to hypertension, which increases your risk of a variety of heart conditions. In mild cases, a custom-made oral appliance can help relieve the symptoms of sleep apnea without the need for a CPAP machine.

A Comprehensive Approach to Your Oral Health

At Luminous Smiles, you can receive a comprehensive approach to oral health from your dentist. Dr. Desai is a Kois-trained dentist, so she applies the latest evidence-based methods to take care of your health. She is also the only female American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry-accredited dentist in Newport Beach.

Dr. Desai carefully evaluates the individual needs of every patient to develop custom treatment plans. That includes not just your oral health but a complete view of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. At Luminous Smiles, you receive care based on a solid foundation of cosmetic, restorative, and preventative dentistry, along with these additional areas:

Nutritional Counseling

Taking care of your oral health isn’t just about dental exams and procedures. It’s also about what you eat. Your nutrition impacts every aspect of your health, and Dr. Desai can provide nutritional counseling to ensure you have the right diet to suit your unique needs.

TMD Treatment

At Luminous Smiles, you can receive effective treatment for TMD. Dr. Desai carefully evaluates all aspects of your health to identify the root cause of your TMD and provide treatment options that deliver both relief and lasting oral health.

Sleep Apnea and Snoring Appliances

If you experience symptoms related to sleep apnea, Luminous Smiles can help. A custom-made sleep apnea appliance can support proper breathing during sleep, alleviating symptoms such as snoring and improving the quality of your sleep so you can have more energy during the day.

Your Dentist in Newport Beach

If you want to do everything you can for your long-term oral and overall health, visiting Luminous Smiles is the right move. You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Desai today to get started.