A beautiful, dazzling smile is the ultimate symbol of happiness — and it is also the gateway to achieving good health holistically.
The team at can attest that oral health care is directly correlated to other parts of your health.
“Good oral hygiene and the health of the gums and teeth is critical for the overall health of the body,” says Dr. Walinder Dhol, myORTHODONTIST Vancouver’s clinical director. “When you talk about potential improvements with everyday functions such as speech, chewing, and sleeping, it all plays a role.”
myORTHODONTIST takes an airway-focused approach, prioritizing the maintenance of the airway's structure and function.
According to the American Dental Association, clinical examinations “can identify signs and symptoms of deficient growth and development or other risk factors that may lead to airway issues."
Some of the most common symptoms to look out for include:
- Dark circles
- Mouth breathing
- Snoring
- Teeth clenching or grinding
Airflow issues, which can be a cause of mouth breathing, may lead to other orthodontic issues. Connecting the dots, the orthodontic team focuses on restoring proper oral function to lead to optimal health for each patient.
“We can help change jaw structure and change tooth position to help make room for the tongue,” says Dr. Dhol. “This may help patients get back to comfortable nasal breathing.”
Many oral health issues, such as gum disease caused by crowded teeth, may lead to inflammatory effects due to the impact of bacteria flowing throughout the bloodstream. Better alignment of the teeth may allow better access for oral hygiene, helping to resolve these issues.
Photo provided by myORTHODONTIST.
From a mental health perspective, just as putting a bright smile on your face helps in elevating your mood and reducing stress levels, having straight and healthy teeth can empower one’s self esteem and help foster a positive self image.
“There’s nothing bigger than a nice smile to boost one's self confidence,” says Dr. Dhol.
Beyond the smile, myORTHODONTIST plays a role in facial enhancements for its patients.
“We can take advantage of growth in kids and teens to help change facial balance and structure, or we can work with other dental specialists to enhance these facial features in adults,” shares Dr. Dhol.
Investing in your smile can also be the gateway to inspire self care in other areas, including the mind, body, and soul.
“So often, it starts with the smile and that leads to the individuals seeking other options for health improvements in their overall life,” observes Dr. Dhol.
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