Here are just two of the things you should discuss with your doctor so he or she can help you integrate your oral and physical health care.

Tell your physician that you’d like him or her to share your lab test results with your dentist and that you also want copies for yourself.

Your lab tests are not just your physician’s business. They’re important markers of what’s happening in your body. You need to know just what your lab tests show and have that interpreted by your doctor if all the acronyms and numbers are confusing. Plus you need to know what those numbers mean to your health. Your lab tests show whether you are prediabetic or diabetic. If you are diabetic, they are a measure of the severity of the disease. The severity of your diabetes affects your treatment strategy. When your diabetes is out of control, you not only feel worse but you’re at greater risk for gum disease as well as heart disease and stroke. In turn, gum disease can make your overall diabetes management more difficult, putting you at continued risk for heart disease or stroke. It is truly a vicious circle, and that’s why it’s so important that you work with your physician and dentist as a team, and that you all have the same information to work from. Read the rest of this blog…

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Osteoporosis

January 25, 2012

Researchers now think that osteoporosis, or loss of bone density, may be linked to bone loss in the jaw, and that can lead to tooth loss because of the damage to the structure supporting the teeth.
Of course your teeth need a strong foundation. And we do know that gum disease by itself can weaken that [...]

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Doris’s Story

January 24, 2012

For Doris, losing her teeth and getting dentures at age 52 had been an unhappy choice she confided in us.
“At the time, I thought it was the least worst decision I could make. I had had trouble with my teeth for my entire life. I was glad to be rid of them. After I got [...]

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Should You Replace Your Silver Fillings?

January 23, 2012

Is there poison in your mouth? Take a peek at a few natural health blogs, and you may be scared senseless about the effects of those amalgam fillings you’ve had for years. Even though this material has been in use for decades, some claim that the mercury levels are highly toxic and dangerous. Should you [...]

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What Happens When You Sleep

January 20, 2012

As most people know, we spend about 30% of our lives sleeping. We know that sleep is necessary to function and we know that sleep is important. However, what happens when we sleep is the subject of many research studies in the scientific and medical communities. Although science hasn’t been able to fully explain the [...]

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The Scoop On Fluoride

January 19, 2012

You’ve probably heard from your dentist how important fluoride is to your oral health. Although many people know that fluoride is in toothpaste and helps fight cavities, many of us may not know how it works, what it actually is, and the definitive research that accompanies its widespread use. Dr. Charles Martin and his staff [...]

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“How Can I Afford Cosmetic Dentistry?”

January 18, 2012

Does it seem like everyone around you has whiter teeth, straighter teeth, or just an overall perfect smile? Most people are not born with perfect and illustrious smiles. Chances are the person’s smile you envy is the result of a talented cosmetic dentist. In recent years, cosmetic dentistry has become more commonplace. At first, it [...]

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Commonly Asked Questions About Sleep Apnea

January 17, 2012

Did you know that the Richmond Smile Center offers treatment for their patients who snore or have sleep apnea? As we spend a third of our lives sleeping, Dr. Charles Martin and his staff wants to ensure that our patients get the full night’s sleep they need so that they can function to the best [...]

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Gum Disease and Stroke—Another Deadly Duo

January 16, 2012

With more than 700,000 strokes in the United States each year, this catastrophic cerebrovascular event is one of the leading causes of death. What many don’t realize is that it is also the number one cause of serious long-term disability.
Many refer to stroke as a brain attack, probably because most strokes occur when a clot [...]

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How Eating Healthy Affects Your Teeth

January 13, 2012

Around the middle of January, New Year’s resolutions start to get neglected. The excitement of a new year has waned and reality has begun to set in. Go to the gym? There’s always tomorrow. Eat vegetables and fruits? Pizza sounds better.
While eating healthy might seem like a chore, it is often the saving grace of [...]

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