At the practice of Dr. Jason Downey, we offer a comprehensive dentistry approach to our Las Vegas patients. We believe in treating our patients’ dental health in the context of their entire well-being.
This approach allows us to provide treatment for oral health issues before they begin to affect the whole body. Comprehensive dentistry techniques enable us to provide complete care through conservative methods, without using any materials that may be harmful to the body.
If you would like to learn more about the connection between oral health and overall well-being, please contact our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Downey.
Oral Health and Overall Wellness
It’s no secret that dental health problems can cause or exacerbate other conditions, but the connection between oral health and overall wellness may be deeper than you think.
Bacteria that builds up in the mouth can cause tooth decay and inflammation of the gums, which can eventually lead to periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease. Periodontitis is linked to several other serious conditions, including diabetes and heart disease.
There is a strong connection between periodontitis and diabetes. When the soft structures of the mouth are inflamed, it impairs the body’s ability to use insulin to convert sugar into energy. This results in high blood glucose levels. In turn, high blood sugar levels provide the ideal environment for the infection, which can exacerbate the already present gum disease.
Heart disease and periodontitis share a number of common risk factors, including smoking, unhealthy eating habits, and being overweight. Approxmately 91 percent of heart disease patients also have periodontal disease. It is believed that the inflammation caused by gum disease can lead to inflamed blood vessels. This can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Biocompatible Materials
In the past, most dental practitioners used silver amalgam fillings to restore decayed areas of individual teeth. The fillings were made of a mixture of mercury and other metals. Mercury is highly toxic to nearly all living organisms and can cause many adverse health conditions, including damage to the kidneys, brain, and other vital organs. As one of the benchmarks of comprehensive dentistry, we use only biocompatible materials for our patients’ fillings.
A Conservative Approach
We employ a cautious and conservative approach when it comes to dental procedures. More aggressive treatment options such as oral surgery and root canal therapy can harm systemic health by releasing trapped dental bacteria and allowing it to spread throughout the body.
We try to correct any issue using non-surgical means unless there are no other options. We offer non-surgical gum disease treatment such as root planing and scaling and the placement of antibiotic fibers, along with other conservative treatment options.
Everything Is Connected
Because we believe that everything is connected, we also educate our patients on the relationship between good nutrition and periodontal health. This is especially important when a patient is suffering from other adverse health conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Office
If you have questions about comprehensive dentistry or are concerned about the materials used in dental restorations, please contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Downey.