#2 THE WHOLE TOOF
Taking a holistic viewpoint on dentistry and general health, DR BERNARD SIEW of Smilefocus says there is much that you can do to promote your own longevity – and that of your teeth.
It is wrong to see dental caries and gum diseases as acute conditions that arise suddenly. In fact, they indicate chronic systemic problems. A cavity is the result of minerals having been leached out of a tooth over a long period of tooth disease, in the same way as a heart attack is the culmination of long-term heart disease.
What is meant by “the mouth-body connection”?
Historically, the mouth has always been an indicator of the general state of the body. As we can’t easily inspect the internal organs such as the stomach or the heart, we can make inferences from different conditions we see in the mouth. Inflammation is key.
What do you mean by inflammation?
Inflammation, in a nutshell, is the release of our soldier cells to fight a threat to the body, either known or unknown. Inflammation can be present in the absence of infection, for example in the case of allergy. It also exists in people who have a loss of physiological balance. When we see chronic inflammation in the mouth, we can deduce that similar inflammation may be occurring elsewhere.
Tell us more about your holistic approach.
I firmly believe that the primary focus of both dentistry and medicine should be on preventing disease and maintaining health. For example, we would recommend early treatment for a child patient’s problematic airways so as to prevent orthodontic problems, a dry-mouth and a higher risk in future of gum disease and dental caries. Also, I’m looking for early signs of teeth-grinding or erosion, which can really reduce the lifespan of our teeth. For this, I make dental devices such as hard-splint night-guards to prevent tooth-grinding.
How common are airway problems?
Chronic respiratory problems have become more common and are directly related to chronic mouth breathing. As a result, we are seeing a general deformity of the jaws – a narrowing and a deepening. Plaque and dental decay are rampant in patients with airway problems, and they often require orthodontic correction of the jaws.
How can we promote healthy levels of oral bacteria that will not cause tooth decay and gum disease?
I believe there is a role for probiotics. By planting the mouth with non-aggressive bacteria, we can limit the ability of aggressive bacteria to thrive.
Apart from that, maintain a good, balanced diet with adequate hydration. Brush twice-daily with a fluoride toothpaste and don’t rinse it all out: fluoride strengthens the enamel structure and slows the growth of the bacteria in plaque. Floss daily … and do it well! Get plenty of rest, and manage your stress levels.