Complete Health Dentistry is an approach that looks beyond just your teeth — it focuses on how your oral health affects your entire body. We understand that conditions like gum disease are linked to heart disease, diabetes, inflammation, cancers and more. It also looks at structures of the face, nose and jaws and their impact on overall health. Our goal is to help you achieve optimal overall health by uncovering any hidden problems, help you down your chosen path for improvement, then helping you maintain health. Integrated through all of this we work to help you understand the complex relationship between your oral health and your whole body health.
Traditional dentistry often focuses only on treating teeth and gums from a clinical perspective, focusing on how they outwardly appear. Complete Health Dentistry takes a whole-body approach, emphasizing prevention, education, and the connection between oral and systemic health. We look deeper into your medical history, family history, structural presence and the health of your microbiome. We work closely with you to support your overall wellness, not just your smile.
TrThe oral systemic connection refers to the link between oral health and overall body health. It highlights how conditions in the mouth, such as gum disease (periodontitis) or infections, can influence or worsen health issues in other parts of the body, including the heart, lungs and brain.
The mouth is the gateway to your entire body, and one of the most important indicators of health is your oral microbiome. The bacteria in your mouth don’t just stay there—they play a significant role in your overall systemic health. Unlike the common idea that bacteria simply sit on the surface of teeth and gum tissues, the oral microbiome is actually a complex, intelligent community of microorganisms. These bacteria communicate, organize, manipulate, modify and protect themselves. When disturbed, they can retreat and hide. They form a defensive biofilm that’s difficult to remove—far beyond what a routine cleaning can resolve. If left unaddressed, these bacteria don’t just stay in the mouth—they can enter the bloodstream and contribute to inflammation and disease throughout the body. In short, your mouth isn’t just an isolated system—keeping it healthy helps support your entire body’s health!
Salivary testing allows us to scientifically identify and measure the presence of harmful bacteria—what we call the “bad microbes”—as well as the beneficial ones that contribute to a healthy oral microbiome. By analyzing your saliva, we can assess the overall balance of your oral bacteria and detect any signs of imbalance or infection.
This testing also helps us track the success of treatments over time. By measuring changes in the bacterial levels, we can see whether our therapy is working and make informed decisions to keep your mouth—and your body—on the path to better health.
As part of our commitment to complete health dentistry, we know that oral health cannot be separated from sleep and breathing health. The way you breathe—especially while you sleep—affects the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body, which helps regulate pH levels and supports mitochondrial function.
Proper breathing is essential for whole-body health. Sleep-related breathing issues like snoring or sleep apnea can contribute to serious conditions such as high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, chronic inflammation, cognitive decline, dry mouth, and tooth wear like attrition or abfractions.
In fact, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommended in 2017 that all dentists screen patients for sleep-related breathing disorders. By doing so, we can help identify potential risks early and work with you to protect both your oral and overall health.
A Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) scan is a specialized ultrasound that measures the thickness of the inner layers of your carotid arteries—the main blood vessels in your neck that supply blood to your brain. Unlike a standard calcium score test, which only detects hardened plaque, a CIMT can identify both soft and hard plaque, giving a clearer picture of your cardiovascular risk.
Think of plaque like a pimple inside your artery. When it’s soft and active, it’s more dangerous because it can rupture, leading your body to create a clot that may cause a heart attack or stroke. Hard, calcified plaque is more stable but still important to monitor.
While CIMT testing is not commonly offered by primary care providers, we are now incorporating it into comprehensive health screenings occasionally throughout the year. We understand oral health and cardiovascular health are deeply connected—oral bacteria and inflammation can contribute to plaque formation in your arteries. By offering CIMT, we can help identify potential health risks earlier and work with you to support both your dental and overall wellness. Ask us to add you to the list for when the next screening is scheduled as space is limited!