From your head to your toes: Oral health affects more than the mouth.

We’ve all heard the rhyme. Your head bone’s connected to your neck bone, your neck bone’s connected to your … Well, you know the drill. But the idea doesn’t just apply to your bones—it’s also accurate for the rest of your body. For example, if you injure your foot, it will affect your gait. Over time, this can end up affecting your hips, spine, and even neck. 

The same principle holds true for the teeth. If you have untreated or poorly managed acid reflux, it can harm your teeth by eroding your enamel. Or if you have severely misaligned teeth, it can affect how your stomach digests the food you take in—even if you don’t notice it at first.

This is why it is important to find a dental provider who takes your entire body into account. You want someone who will go beyond symptom management to help you address the root of the problem. Here are 5 ways a dentist who takes a whole-body approach will benefit your overall health. 

1. Comprehensive Health Assessment

It’s important for your dentist to consider your overall health history. As with the examples above, if you have severe stomach issues that make it hard to hold food down, it’s important to watch for signs of tooth erosion and take proactive steps to combat it before it requires complex restorative treatment.

Having a dentist who considers the whole body is particularly beneficial for early intervention. Your dentist might surprise you with their ability to uncover other potentially oral-health-related issues.

2. Early Detection of Systemic Health Problems

Did you know that some of the first signs of certain health issues can appear in the mouth? For example, people with diabetes have a higher risk of developing gum disease. Osteoporosis is a risk factor for tooth loss. And people with chronic dry mouth may be suffering from something called Sjogren’s syndrome.

Though it might be tempting to run to “Dr. Google” and start typing in every symptom in the book, it’s important to let professionals do the ultimate diagnosis. After all, they are able to connect all the dots and see how different aspects of your health could be linked.

3. Tailored Treatment Plans

By taking your entire body into account, your dentist can create a personalized treatment plan. This way, you can address both oral and general health issues at the same time when possible. One example of this is sleep apnea treatment. And if the issue in question isn’t stemming from an oral problem, your dentist can then refer to the appropriate specialist for further evaluation and treatment. 

4. Total Well-Being

Comprehensive dental care is becoming increasingly common as more people begin pursuing prevention-focused care. Not only will the dentist look at the entire body as a whole, but they will .

Since the body’s systems are all interconnected, great oral health will help you keep your overall health in tip-top shape! For this reason, many people prefer to take action early (and rightly so) in order to pursue the most conservative treatment options possible. When you are able to maintain good oral health, the chances are higher that you can completely avoid restorative dental treatments.

5. Oral Health Care Throughout the Ages

Through comprehensive oral care, your dentist can keep an eye on your health no matter what stage of life you are in. Dental care begins when the very first tooth erupts. By coming alongside you to promote oral wellness in every life season, we here at Compass Dental Group are able to get to know you, your habits, and your health in a way that others can’t. This means we help you avoid potential issues and prevent them when possible.  

The Whole-Person Approach

A dentist who considers your overall health each time they see you can deliver the highest-quality care and truly tailored treatment recommendations. We here at Compass Dental Group proudly take a whole-person approach to dentistry, from cavities to sleep apnea and everything in between. After all, you can get the best care possible when everything is taken into account.