Healthy Mouth Baseline Weston, FL
Unlike traditional dentists, complete health dentists work collaboratively with their patients to get them back to a healthy mouth baseline. We assess the patient's unique needs and motivators while considering their overall health. Patients and doctors of preventative dentistry are often able to spot serious health problems before they have the chance to get worse.
Preventative dentistry is available at Artful Dentistry & Wellness in Weston and the surrounding area. Our team will help you meet your complete health goals. Call us today at (954) 526-2266 to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services.
What Happens During an Annual Wellness Visit
While traditional dentists tend to treat isolated conditions, complete health dentists aim to treat patients in their entirety. They take a more comprehensive view of the patient, their pre-existing conditions, individual needs, unique risk factors, and more. As such, an annual visit to a complete health dentist is not just an "annual checkup." Rather, it is an annual wellness visit in which they take the patient's total condition into account.
A patient's mouth is a reflection of their overall health. Ideally, it should be free of bleeding gums, cavities, swelling, or any other irregularities. At the beginning of an annual wellness visit, a complete health dentist will show the patient a graph of the healthy mouth baseline. The hygienist will then delve deeper into their concerns before checking their vitals, conducting an oral cancer screening, and asking about sleep and lifestyle habits in preparation for the doctor.
“While traditional dentists tend to treat isolated conditions, complete health dentists aim to treat patients in their entirety.”
Doctor-Patient Relationships in Complete Health Dentistry
Traditional dentists tend to treat their patients as passive recipients of care. Complete health dentists, on the other hand, work collaboratively. This process involves some patient education from the doctor and more active participation from the patient.
Patients of complete health dentistry take an active role from the first consultation when they must identify any discrepancies between the healthy mouth baseline and their dental health. The complete health hygienist and doctor will use these concerns as a jumpoff point to fully assess the mouth and formulate a customized treatment plan for the patient's unique needs.
Our team aims to help patients maintain their overall health by treating and preventing severe dental conditions. However, there may be occasions when we must refer our patients out to a specialist. Generally, this occurs when we see signs of systemic conditions that we cannot treat on our own. Examples include heart disease, diabetes, and more.
“Complete health dentists … work collaboratively with their patients.”
The Mouth is the Gateway to the Body
The mouth acts as an entrance to the rest of the body. There are billions of bacteria in the mouth. While most bacteria are harmless, some types can cause issues, such as gum disease. Since the mouth is the gateway to the digestive and respiratory tract, some bacteria can increase the risk of developing diseases when there is a lack of good oral hygiene.
Maintaining dental hygiene can prevent oral health issues such as gingivitis and gum disease. Proper brushing and flossing are necessary to remove harmful bacteria. This can subsequently minimize a person's risk for developing more serious health complications, such as cardiovascular disease and arthritis.
“Since the mouth is the gateway to the digestive and respiratory tract, some bacteria can increase the risk of developing diseases when there is a lack of good oral hygiene.”
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Healthy Mouth Baseline in Weston, FL
Periodontitis: A Threat to the Healthy Mouth Baseline
Periodontal disease is associated with other systemic conditions (especially diabetes and heart disease). Though experts once believed that this link was due to periodontal bacteria, more recent research has suggested that inflammation may be the culprit. As such, treating periodontal inflammation has the potential to manage both periodontitis and other chronic inflammatory conditions.
The further along periodontitis has progressed, the harder it is to treat. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for periodontitis to produce only a few obvious symptoms even in the later stages. This is just one of the reasons why it is crucial for patients to keep regular appointments with their complete health dentist.
Of course, periodontitis is easier for patients to spot once they are aware of the symptoms. These include changes in bite, deep pockets between teeth and gums, gums that bleed during and after brushing teeth, loose or shifting teeth, persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth, receding gums, and red, swollen, or tender gums.
“It has been long established that periodontal disease is associated with other systemic conditions (especially diabetes and heart disease).”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What is the importance of a healthy mouth baseline?
Q. What does a complete health dentist do differently than a traditional dentist?
Q. How is the mouth the gateway to the body?
Q. How can I prevent dental issues?
People Also Ask
Q. How does oral health affect overall health?
Q. What is the difference between traditional dentists and total health dentists?
Q. Beyond regular checkups, what additional procedures might a dentist recommend?
Q. What services are offered by a general dentist?
Q. What are the benefits of having a complete health dentist as a dental provider?
How to Prevent Dental Issues
Having an annual wellness visit is a great way for people to maintain their overall health and prevent dental issues. However, patients need to take certain actions at home to maintain their health at home between appointments. The most important thing to do is to practice good oral hygiene. This includes brushing teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once to remove plaque and bacteria from teeth.
Forgoing smoking and tobacco products and avoiding alcohol can also benefit people's oral and overall health. Diet and nutrition also play a significant role in preventing dental issues. We recommend eating a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables high in fiber and cutting back on sugary foods and drinks that can eat away at tooth enamel and cause decay.
“Having an annual wellness visit is a great way for people to maintain their overall health and prevent dental issues.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is dental plaque?
A. Dental plaque is a sticky film that constantly builds on the surface of teeth. It contains millions of bacteria that produce acid, which eats away at the enamel and causes decay. Without removal, plaque can cause other issues like gum disease, increasing the risk of other health complications.
Q. What are other systemic conditions linked to oral health?
A. Oral health issues can cause more than just pain and functionality issues. It can lead to dental issues, such as gum disease, which has a connection to issues including cardiovascular disease, bacterial pneumonia, stroke, and pregnancy complications. The bacteria in the mouth can also impact the heart if it enters the bloodstream and attaches to the plaque in the blood vessels.
Q. What are the risks associated with gum disease?
A. A lack of proper oral hygiene and the resulting accumulation of plaque is the primary cause of gum disease. However, there are additional factors associated with gum disease. Other factors include hormonal changes, age, certain illnesses, genetics, bad habits, and some medications.
Q. What is the difference between a total health dentist and a traditional dentist?
A. All dentists, whether total health or traditional, receive the same training and education in dental school. However, they differ in their approach to patient care. When treating patients, total health dentists focus on the role oral health plays in overall health.
Q. What are some components of a healthy mouth baseline?
A. Our team will check for the standards of a healthy mouth. This includes healthy gums, teeth, mouth, bite, jaws, and teeth. Cosmetic oral health and healthy habits are also aspects of a healthy mouth baseline.
Scan here to view this page, Healthy Mouth Baseline, on mobile
Dental Terminology
Call Us Today
Good overall health starts with a good complete health dentist. We at Artful Dentistry & Wellness may be able to help. Call us today at 954-526-2266 to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2025
About our business, license, and website security
- Artful Dentistry & Wellness was established in 2000.
- We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
- We serve patients from the following counties: Broward County
- We serve patients from the following cities: Weston, Pembroke Pines, Southwest Ranches, Cooper City, Davie, Sunrise, and Plantation
- FL (License #DN 20879). View License Information and Specifics
- National Provider Identifier Database (1083016257). View NPI Registry Information
- Healthgrades. View Background Information and Reviews
- Norton Safe Web. View Details
- Trend Micro Site Safety Center. View Details
Scan here to open directions to Artful Dentistry & Wellness on mobile
Back to top of Healthy Mouth Baseline
Related Posts
Invisalign Vs. Lingual Braces
If you want to align your teeth discreetly, you have probably noticed the many options at your disposal, two being Invisalign® and lingual braces. While both options share some similarities, they also have significant differences for you to consider.One of the most significant differences between the two appliances is appearance. Invisaline is virtually invisible, using…
Welcome To Artful Dentistry & Wellness
We are committed to providing quality service to residents located In the Weston, FL area. Our website has additional information about the following topics: Dentist, Cosmetic Dentist, Emergency Dentist, Kid-Friendly Dentist, Teeth Whitening, Dental Crowns, Dental Fillings, Gum Disease Treatment, Implant Crowns and Dental Implants.
Explore additional topics covered on our website:
Call Us Today
Scan here to call Artful Dentistry & Wellness on mobile