DENTAL PROFESSIONAL PROFILES
Healthy smile, healthy you:
If you’re looking for a dentist or specialist in the Lowcountry, there are many to choose from.
Oral health linked to your overall health
IT IS WIDELY ACCEPTED now that good oral hygiene and regular dental visits are an incredibly important part of a healthy lifestyle - not just for oral health but for overall health. Research suggests that your mouth can reflect the condition of your body as a whole, and that good oral health can actually help prevent certain diseases. Despite this knowledge, many people continue to neglect their oral health.
REGULAR DENTAL VISITS HELP MAINTAIN GOOD HEALTH It’s important to see a general or family dentist twice a year for a check-up and cleaning. They will help with tartar control, cavity prevention and keeping an overall healthy mouth. They serve as your first line of defense, alerting you to any potential problems, and will be able to help guide you toward good at-home habits, from suggesting different brushing methods to helping you find the right toothbrush and floss for you. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, there is a relationship between gum disease and health complications such as a stroke or heart disease. Maintaining a twice-yearly schedule of visiting your general dentist is a great way to be alerted to potential issues before they become too serious. Pregnant women, or those planning to become pregnant, should also check in with their general dentist to identify any tooth or gum issues. Women with gum disease have shown higher incidences of preterm, low birthweight babies.
MAKE ORAL HEALTH FUN SO KIDS WANT TO BRUSH Teaching kids good habits early is essential to their health. These days there are all kinds of fun accessories you can buy for home to make brushing exciting, like light-up timers and musical toothbrushes. You also want to ensure that going to the dentist is a fun experience and not one that the kids dread. A pediatric
In the following pages we profile some of the best in the area.
or family dentist who specialize in kids is a great place to start. From fun treats and giveaways to child-size chairs and brightly decorated exam rooms, they will feel less industrial and scary to younger children.
SERIOUS ISSUES MAY REQUIRE A SPECIALIST If your dentist detects serious tooth or gum issues, it might be time to see a specialist. Your dentist might refer you to a periodontist to treat serious inflammation or infections, root issues, or in some cases dental implants. Periodontists go through extensive training to tackle these tough issues as well as stay up to date on the latest technologies and methodologies.
A BEAUTIFUL SMILE IS A HEALTHY SMILE While some lucky people are born with a perfect set of teeth, many suffer from mal-aligned, discolored, or damaged teeth. For many people, these imperfections are not purely cosmetic, but can also indicate or lead to other issues. An orthodontist will help correct misaligned teeth- and unlike decades past, orthodontia isn’t just for teenagers. Many orthodontists will begin to take corrective action earlier, as soon as a child has all of their adult teeth. And it’s never too late for adults with adult braces becoming a more and more common practice. For discoloration, gaps, and other types of damage, a cosmetic dentist can help make you much more comfortable with your smile with bonding, veneers, or whitening treatments. There are constantly changing technologies that make these procedures easy, not too time consuming, and affordable. There are many options now, allowing you and your dentist to decide on the best option for you. With these options so much more readily available, it doesn’t make sense to suffer with embarrassment about the state of your smile. After all, a smile you feel confident in is one that you’re more likely to take good care of.
S P E C I AL ADV E RT I S I NG S E CT I O N 72 hiltonheadmonthly.com
Oct 16 072-079 Dental Professionals.indd 72
9/23/16 12:57 PM