As a dentist for over 20 years, I have always been passionate about helping patients achieve healthy, beautiful smiles. When I began my career, I envisioned transforming smiles with cosmetic dentistry, restoring missing teeth with natural looking implants, and ensuring families had excellent oral health. While I still love doing those things, my understanding of dentistry has evolved. The longer I practice, the more I recognize the deep connection between oral health and overall well-being. The mouth is truly a window to the body, often revealing signs of underlying health conditions.
At Cheek Dental, our approach to dental care has expanded to consider the bigger picture of health. Through advanced education and personal experiences, I’ve learned that issues like cavities, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and even behavioral concerns in children can be linked to broader systemic factors. For example, we know that acid reflux from sleep apnea can contribute to cavities, while poor nasal breathing affects nitric oxide levels, which play a role in blood pressure and inflammation. We also discuss gut health, probiotics, and diet because they impact not only digestion but also the body’s ability to fight disease and maintain strong teeth and gums.
For our younger patients, we pay close attention to airway development and facial growth, as they can contribute to issues like sleep disorders, speech problems, allergies, and even behavioral challenges. By addressing these concerns early, we can help set children up for a lifetime of better health.
A visit to the dentist is no longer just about cleaning teeth or fixing cavities. By taking a whole-body approach, we help patients achieve not only healthier smiles but also improved overall wellness. Your mouth can reveal a lot about your health—let’s make sure it tells a story of vitality and well-being.
