“When the mouth is healthy, the oral immune system is healthy which contributes to the entire body’s immunity to disease,” says Dr. Isaac Comfortes of Encino, California. “What we do in dentistry is essential to whole body wellness. Postponement of regular hygiene visits and exams and postponement of treatment for gum inflammation, dental caries, and other diseases of the mouth has set our population back, as a whole, in terms of oral health and the body’s ability to fight infection. Many of my patients come to me for individualized gum treatment due to their already heightened risk to heart disease, diabetes, and other systemic diseases. We partner with them on a regular regimen of treatment, and I am anxious to see all of them again to make sure we are doing all we can to keep them healthy.”
Why is maintaining a healthy mouth essential for maintaining the health of the rest of your body? The food we take in, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and anything we put in our mouth, including our toothbrush, has potential for introducing harmful bacteria, viruses, and toxins into our bodies.
The mucous membranes that line the mouth, nose, eyelids, trachea (windpipe), lungs, stomach, intestines, and other organs act as a defensive barrier, protecting the body from harmful bacteria, viruses, and toxins. But open spots in the mouth’s mucosa (such as where gum tissue pulls away from teeth when the tissue is inflamed) channel contaminants directly into the blood supply.
“Regular dental visits, compliance with recommended treatment to keep the mucous membranes of the mouth healthy, diligent oral hygiene, and frequent hand washing with soap and water for 20 to 30 seconds are key to maintaining an optimal immune system,” says Dr. Comfortes. “Everyone can and should do these things. A healthy diet, exercise, and stress reduction are also key.” (Read more in our Total Health Dentistry of Encino Blog.)
“At Total Health Dentistry of Encino, we are dedicated to whole body wellness with a special emphasis on elimination of oral inflammation. Our treatment plans and home oral hygiene regimens are custom tailored for our patients. Through partnering with our patients, we have lowered their risks from heart disease, diabetes, and many other systemic diseases,” says Dr. Comfortes. “I invite you to read Staying Healthy During the COVID19 Outbreak and to learn more about Oral DNA Saliva Testing.”
The general, cosmetic and reconstructive dental practice of Encino dentist Dr. Isaac Comfortes is devoted to restoring optimal oral health, which supports whole body health and enhances the natural beauty of smiles.